They say that any publicity is good publicity, but some kinds of publicity are better than others. And when a Pulitzer Prize-winning book critic for the Washington Post decides to say nice things about your books, it might be the very best kind of publicity there is.
Yesterday’s Post featured a review of our not-for-kids book Ten Thousand Stories.
If you are, say, at least 9 years old, and if your parents believe you to be of sufficiently mature mindset, perhaps you would enjoy flipping through the pages of this book, but I am not endorsing it as a holiday gift for the young and impressionable (on account of various “adult themes”). But in the course of this review, which was flattering beyond our wildest dreams (and, so you know, our dreams get pretty wild from time to time), the reviewer, Michael Dirda, talked about Bobbledy Books. Because, as you know, we are not one-trick ponies (perhaps I should have said, “we are not one-headed donkeys”).
Here’s what he had to say on the Bobbledy front:
While “Ten Thousand Stories” is, by its subject matter, intended for grown-ups, Swanson and Behr may be best known for the children’s titles they publish under their own imprint, Bobbledy Books. These are available through subscription and arrive in garishly bright envelopes of green and red, inscribed with the words “Read Write Draw Sing.” Inside, one finds wonderfully imaginative paperbacks such as “The Girl With Frogs in Her Ears.” Because little Vera has “frogs in her ears,” she can’t quite make out what anyone says, so when the mayor of her town shouts, “We are looking for someone to conquer the big-headed ogre of Eggplant Mountain using only a toothbrush and a bent playing card,” she simply gives a deaf little nod. Vera’s thrilling adventure leads to the discovery of a new friend.
Mr. Dirda has been a champion of ours since we met him at the Chestertown Book Festival a few years back. Here we are together way back then.
A few months ago, also in the Washington Post, he wrote this of Bobbledy:
Bobbledy Books is my favorite small press publisher for kids. Matthew Swanson writes the words, and his wife Robbi Behr creates the pictures, and together they are silly, poetic, surreal, and incredibly cool.
Bobbledy Books is also my favorite small press publisher for kids, but I’m decidedly more biased than Mr. Dirda, so I’m pleased to hear him say it.
On the strength of Dirda’s praise, we added a BUNCH of new members to the Bobbledy club, yesterday, so welcome to all you new Bobbledy kids!
As for you adults out there, if you are the sort that is moved by endorsements from high places and are eager to purchase Bobbledy memberships as holiday gifts for the kids in your life, click here, and we will take care of the rest.
And for all of you friends, club members, and other supporters out there, please know that the biggest thrill of yesterday was not the high praise of Mr. Dirda, but the overwhelming outpouring of love and excitement you heaped upon our little enterprise. The thing that makes Bobbledy a club is all of you. The thing that makes all we do worthwhile is the fact that you seem to appreciate it.
So thank you.