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Welcome to TOON Books,
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Find the right TOON Book for every young reader:
INTEREST LEVEL: Ages 4+
READING LEVEL: Grades K-1 |
INTEREST LEVEL: Ages 5+
READING LEVEL: Grades 1-2 |
INTEREST LEVEL: Ages 6+
READING LEVEL: Grades 2-3 |
INTEREST LEVEL: Ages 7+
READING LEVEL: Grades 3+ |
A GORGEOUSLY GROSS PICTURE BOOK FROM
DAVID SEDARIS AND THE LATE IAN FALCONER!
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NEW YORK, NY - June 08, 2023 - TOON Books, renowned publisher of comics for young children and an imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers, a division of Astra Publishing House, announces the publication of Pretty Ugly, the first children’s book from popular humor writer David Sedaris and the first from the late Ian Falconer, creator of the bestselling and beloved Olivia children’s book franchise, since his death in March of this year. To be published February 27, 2024 as a hardcover picture book for kids ages 5 and up, Pretty Ugly showcases the comic brilliance of the bestselling duo as they look at the age-old question of why we deem some people beautiful and others ugly. “Twenty years ago, I asked David and Ian to create a piece for a comics anthology called Little Lit: Strange Stories for Strange Kids,” says Françoise Mouly, founder and publisher of TOON Books. “Together they created Pretty Ugly, a funny fable that manages to reveal a profound lesson about tolerance. It’s a perfect example of visual storytelling. They came up with the idea together and wouldn’t tell me about it til it was done. You need to see the images when you read, and you have to let the rhythm of the story and art unfold to get to the reveal and appreciate all the humor. When I started TOON Books, I kept going back to that work thinking it could be a stand-alone picture book, but never got around to it til recently. With the systematic attacks so-called conservatives are leveling on all those they see as deviant or even just different, it felt urgent to publish a tale with such a clear moral center. David and Ian agreed and earlier this year, we finalized the editing and design, prepping it for Spring 2024 publication. A few weeks before he died, I sent Ian the dummy and–in true Ian style–he remarked, 'this looks great. I can’t wait to see it bound...and gagged.' “It gives me such pleasure to be able to share one of Ian Falconer’s final projects and David Sedaris’ first book for children,” continues Mouly, “and bring the genius of both comic greats to kids, parents, teachers and everyone who loves a good funny book.” Pretty Ugly (A TOON Level 2) By David Sedaris; Illustrated by Ian Falconer TOON Books 32 pages • Ages 5-7 • $18.99 • 9781662665271 Publication date: February 27, 2024 |
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"Comics are a gateway drug to literacy."
—Art Spiegelman, Pulitzer-Prize winning author of Maus, A Survivor's Tale TOON Books represent a whole new approach to books for beginning and reluctant readers—a rethinking as radical as the first time Theodor Geisel put a hat on a cat. Each book is just right for reading to the youngest child, but this is also the first and only collection ever designed to offer early and reluctant readers comics they can read themselves.
Each TOON book has been vetted by educators to nurture young minds.The comic format helps every child master core reading comprehension strategies like Visualization & Imagining, Making Connections, or Retelling. With TOON Books, parents, caregivers, homeschoolers, teachers, and librarians can help every child become a lifelong reader, one who knows how to read for pleasure and for information—a reader who loves to read. |
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The essential best-selling, award-winning, teacher-approved sets:
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"Without a doubt, the best go-to option for parents looking for quality comics for early readers is the many
graphic novels from Toon Books." — Mental Floss |
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COMICS IN THE CLASSROOM: A dream come true!
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Fifteen years ago, TOON’s Editorial Director, Françoise Mouly, launched the imprint to introduce the then revolutionary notion that comics can stir a lifelong love of reading in kids. Now, the prestigious Lucy Calkins Teachers College Reading and Writing Project (TCRWP) is publishing a groundbreaking new textbook: Graphic Novels: Writing in Pictures and Words.
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It is their first writing unit to focus specifically on graphic novels. A triumphant Françoise Mouly says: “The work teachers and librarians do in the classroom is nothing short of miraculous–watching Hareem A. Khan, Eric Hand, and Lucy Calkins herself apply their expertise and insights to comics has been one of the rewarding experiences of my publishing career. I can’t wait to welcome the new generation of comics creators and readers that this guide is bound to spark!”
The unit, heavily illustrated with doodles and diagrams, helps all teachers understand the visual elements of comics storytelling. Teachers, even if they lack drawing skills, can help students in grades 4 to 6 develop their own writing and storytelling crafts and guide them to create their own graphic novels. The guide is packaged with Comics: Easy as ABC! by Ivan Brunetti and Stinky by Eleanor Davis and uses multiple TOON Books as references. |
NEW TOON PAPERBACKS!
As TOON Books make more inroads into schools, this spring will see several award-winning Level Two and Three titles released in paperback for the first time!
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Phillipe Coudray’s Benjamin Bear in Brain Storms! and Benjamin Bear in Bright Ideas! join the previously released Benjamin Bear in Fuzzy Thinking as affordable, but still beautifully produced softcovers. In the best-selling Eisner-Award-winning series, Benjamin Bear comes up with zany solutions to his friends’ problems, makes the most of silly situations, and delights kids when his somewhat absurd problem-solving leads him into trouble.
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World-renowned cartoonist Liniers, father of three daughters, explores the wonders of childhood over a range of books. Good Night, Planet follows the adventures of a young girl’s beloved stuffed animal. In Written and Drawn by Henrietta, the reader follows the creative process of a young author. Wildflowers highlights the magic of childhood imagination and the bonds between sisters. All three books join The Big Wet Balloon in paperback, showcasing the beauty, charm, and humor that has seen Liniers’ titles awarded Eisner Awards, starred reviews, and brisk sales, as well as garnering the love of thousands of fans.
And the award goes to.... a must-have guide to comics for all kids
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Praise all around for TOON Books
