Wednesday, May 19, 2021

CAVE DADA PICKY EATER by Brandon Reese: A Review, Author Interview, and Autographed Giveaway!

 Congratulations to Cindy Lynn Sawyer who won EQUAL and Lisa Fowler who won DRIVE from last week's blog.

                                                                                    *****

This week I'm featuring North Carolina author-illustrator, Brandon Reese, and his newest book, CAVE DADA PICKY EATER (Chronicle Books, 2021). Some of you may remember Brandon's book, CAVE DADA that came out a year ago. In this follow-up, the same relatable characters make a spontaneous discovery. Readers young and old will enjoy this fun picture book.




REVIEW

Baba wakes up and he is HUNGRY! 




Thus begins a search for a breakfast that Baba will eat. 





While Dada is searching for a breakfast that Baba will find acceptable, his wooly mammoth yanks the door off the pre-historic refrigerator (complete with Baba's drawings) and it falls on the fire. 

Not only has Dada lost the refrigerator door but unfortunately, there's no egg for Baba. 

Dada offers:




Of course, nothing is acceptable. Poor Dada is not given a day off from hunting and gathering and must hunt for an egg.

He finds one--under an ENORMOUS chicken!



But then...



Dada is defeated. He has to go find another egg. Until Baba points to the fire and Dada realizes he discovered,




The two enjoy their breakfast and Dada feeds the wooly mammoth. Suddenly, he smells a bad odor coming from Baba. A bath is announced but Baba returns the directive with,



Like the first Dada book, Brandon has included lots of fun details in the pictures so that even toddlers can "read" the story. I enjoy the way in which Brandon shows movement (and stink!) within the illustrations, and I LOVE the character's expressions!

                                                *****

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

CAROL: How did you come up with this idea? Let me guess...

BRANDON: worked up several ideas for my editor at Chronicle. One story had Dada climbing a tree for a breakfast egg, another had Dada chasing Baba for bath time. Ariel liked the idea of picky eating, so I rewrote the story and I included those elements. People might assume my son was a picky eater. He wasn’t at all. We were actually hard-pressed finding something he didn’t like! I do, however have nephews who had persnickety palettes! 

CAROL: Can you tell us a little about your creative process?

BRANDONA few drawings of story beats came first in my sketchbook. Once I figured out the narrative, I type up the manuscript. Then it is back and forth to my editor with sketches and rewrites as I refine.

From Brandon's sketchbook

CAROL: What medium do you use for the art?

BRANDON: I create the artwork with a combination of techniques. The line art is hand drawn and shaded with colored pencil. That is scanned in and placed in photoshop where I colored it with a combination of digital brushes and gouache paint. I also photographed an omelet for egg textures.

CAROL: How was your first book received?

BRANDON: I think the first book was pretty well liked. It’s been translated for Chinese, Korean, and Italian editions so far.

CAROL: What's next? Is there another Dada book in your future?

BRANDON:I’m definitely up for a third CAVE DADA book, but nothing is set in stone… so to speak. 😀 I’m currently on submission with a new picture book and working on a graphic novel to pitch.


GIVEAWAY

Want to win this book for a child, grandchild, or grown son who is now a father? Please leave me your name and email address (if you are new to my blog) by May 21. I'll draw a name after 6 PM.  Share this on social media or start following my blog and I'll enter your name twice--just let me know what you do. 


10 comments:

Linda Phillips said...

Thanks for reviewing another one of Brandon's clever books. Brandon, you are one talented dude (uh, dada)!

Becky Scharnhorst said...

I loved the first Cave Dada book, so I can't wait to read this one! Thanks for sharing a bit of the process with us!

Lois said...

What a fun book. And an omelet is the perfect ending.


Danielle H. said...

This book is hilarious and so creative! I would love to win a copy--we have nieces on their way this summer to new daddies. I shared on tumblr: https://yesreaderwriterpoetmusician.tumblr.com/post/651626263523573760/cave-dada-picky-eater-by-brandon-reese-a-review

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks Linda, Lois, Becky, and Danielle. You're all in and Danielle, you're in twice!

Susan said...

This looks cute - I've got a couple of grandkids that are picky eaters!

Carol Baldwin said...

You would like this and Brandon's first book (linked in this blog), Susan.

Rosi said...

This looks awfully cute. I liked the first book, so I am sure I will like this one as well. I mean my grandkids did! Thanks for the post.

Janet Frenck Sheets said...

I already own Cave Dada -- it's so much fun! I'm looking forward to Dada and Baba's next adventure. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity, Brandon and Carol. (Carol, I'm glad I found your blog. I'm now subscribed.)

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks Rosi and Janet.Janet--I'm glad you found my blog too and decided to subscribe. Your name is in twice!

YOU CAN SEE IT HERE FIRST -- A COVER REVEAL of the RE-RELEASE OF CRAZY by Linda Phillips

  It is always an honor for me when an author allows me the privilege of sharing the cover of their book with the world. This  time, I'm...