Interview with Footenbarn Creators

I caught up with Oomer and Gibson, the creators of the hilarious characters of 'The Adventures of Footenbarn. Check out what they had to say;

Where did the idea for Footenbarn come from?
GIBSON: From many years of losing socks and wondering where they heck they went....I finally decided they must be pulled into another world and come to life...can there be any other explanation...I think not....

How long did it take from conception to actually book?
OOMER: Honestly, years. It was definitely a long process, but a fun one. The hardest part was designing and visualizing the sock world and how the missing socks made it into this new world. Then the characters had to be created (this was definitely the funniest part). There were so many hilarious characters that were created, but only a handful actually made it into the first book "Hot Seat". More characters will be introduced in the upcoming books. Once the Hot Seat story was written the illustrations and character design and editorial re-visions took about a year and a half to complete.

How has the response been so far?
GIBSON: Excellent....the reviews have been amazing and the feedback I have received in person has been tremendous...everyone from kids to grownups can relate to where do those lost socks go to, and now everyone knows...it's great to solve one of mankind's great mysteries and share it with the world....

Is it both Print and ebook format?
OOMER: Currently the book is available in paperback. We hope to have an ebook format available in the near future.

Where is Footenbarn available to purchase?
GIBSON: Its available through www.footenbarn.com and Amazon.com (click on the Paper Press Books store front).

Is Footenbarn going to be a toy, tv show, feature film?
OOMER: We hope all three and more! There are some things currently in the works and we hope to be able to make an announcement in the upcoming months. If anyone has any ideas, let us know too!

Hot Seat is the first Footenbarn Adventure, any others on the horizon.
OOMER: Yes of course. You can't keep a character like Footenbarn held to just one book - he's got too much adventure in him! There are 4 more books already written. The next book is titled "Spelling Bee". Footenbarn wins the school spelling bee contest with the help of a Bee that can actually spell! There is a sneak preview of the other books on the Footenbarn site.

Do you have any advice for struggling authors and/or illustrators?
GIBSON: You can achieve SOCKSESS if you TOE the line and stay on the SOCK and narrow towards your goal...also, SOCK away some money and self publish...

9. Anything else you'd like to add?
GIBSON & OOMER: Please add us on your Twitter page and tell your friends and family about the book. And keep checking back in on the Footenbarn website for updates.

Check out Footenbarn and his pals at; http://www.footenbarn.com

Don't forget to leave your questions or comment to be eligible for the drawing of, "The Adventures of Footenbarn, Hot Seat.'

The Adventures of Footenbarn - Hot Seat

Warning – Reading this book will lead to much hilarity and laughing out loud. Do not attempt to read in quiet places such as classrooms or church.

What happens to the “other” sock that always gets lost in the dryer? It goes through a worm hole and ends up on a hilarious adventure.

The Adventures of Footenbarn – Hot Seat, by Jeff Gibson and Shahrook Oomer is about one such sock. Whether it’s in his dreams fighting the bad guys, on the bus ride to school falling in love, or in the classroom pulling pranks, Footenbarn’s adventures are sure to keep you entertained.

A full cast of wacky characters come to life among the pages, like Simbu (who grows toe fungus for fun), Flex the bumbling-buddy and Francipants, the foreign exchange pair of pants. Plus, what would a good adventure be without a pretty girl and a villian? Or in this case, a brand new, high quality student err, sock named Filless and a bad-guy-dust-ball named Smackberry. This book has it all.

Footenbarns rules his school with his quick wit, up to date technology (YouTube Sock, Sock Foot Page) and all ‘round fun – think Sponge Bob Square Pants meets Bart Simpson. In addition to being quick-witted and hilarious, the illustrations are bright and bold with lots of detail filling in the background. I found myself looking at the pictures and finding more ‘punny’ remarks that only added to the story. With all this going for it, The Adventures of Footenbarn – Hot Seat can’t help but holler…READ ME!!

This book would make a great addition to any child’s collection or for anyone who has ever wondered…”where did that sock go?”

For more fun and information, please visit their web site at; http://www.footenbarn.com/

Or to purchase a copy of The Adventures of Footenbarn, just click on;
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615325173?ie=UTF8&seller=ASQWIP6RBC4CE&sn=Paper%20Press%20Books

Want to find out more? Leave your question in this blog spot and one of the talented authors of Footenbarn will get back to you.

We will also be drawing for a FREE, The Adventures of Footenbarn, Hot Seat Book. All you have to do is leave a question or a comment in this (or the next Footenbarn) Blog Spot. I will do a random drawing on Wednesday March 10th - Good Luck :)

The Adventures of Footenbarn - Hot Seat

Warning – Reading this book will lead to much hilarity and laughing out loud. Do not attempt to read in quiet places such as classrooms or church.

What happens to the “other” sock that always gets lost in the dryer? It goes through a worm hole and ends up on a hilarious adventure.

The Adventures of Footenbarn – Hot Seat, by Jeff Gibson and Shahrook Oomer is about one such sock. Whether it’s in his dreams fighting the bad guys, on the bus ride to school falling in love, or in the classroom pulling pranks, Footenbarn’s adventures are sure to keep you entertained.

A full cast of wacky characters come to life among the pages, like Simbu (who grows toe fungus for fun), Flex the bumbling-buddy and Francipants, the foreign exchange pair of pants. Plus, what would a good adventure be without a pretty girl and a villian? Or in this case, a brand new, high quality student err, sock named Filless and a bad-guy-dust-ball named Smackberry. This book has it all.

Footenbarns rules his school with his quick wit, up to date technology (YouTube Sock, Sock Foot Page) and all ‘round fun – think Sponge Bob Square Pants meets Bart Simpson. In addition to being quick-witted and hilarious, the illustrations are bright and bold with lots of detail filling in the background. I found myself looking at the pictures and finding more ‘punny’ remarks that only added to the story. With all this going for it, The Adventures of Footenbarn – Hot Seat can’t help but holler - READ ME!!

This book would make a great addition to any child’s collection or for anyone who has ever wondered…”where did that sock go?”

For more fun and information, please visit their web site at; http://www.footenbarn.com/

Or to purchase a copy of The Adventures of Footenbarn, just click on;
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615325173?ie=UTF8&seller=ASQWIP6RBC4CE&sn=Paper%20Press%20Books

Look who else is reading Footenbarn...
That's right, it's former President Bush and his lovely wife with co-author, Jeff Gibson.

The Warmest Place of All - Review

I remember as a child coming in from an afternoon of wintery-fun; bundling in front of the fireplace until my feet and face thawed.

In the Warmest Place of All, little Sophie searches for her very own place to warm up after playing out in the snow.

Will it be in the kitchen with a cup of steaming hot cocoa or the bathtub with hot water and bubbles? Perhaps, cuddling with her big dog, Baby Bear will do the trick? But none of these feel right and Sophie soon finds out where the warmest place of all is.

Author Licia Rando M.Ed. reminds us that, “Even the simple act of holding hands releases Oxytocin, which decreases blood pressure and acts as a sedative. Imagine what a snuggle with a parent and a good book will do for a child.”

Check out Licia’s web site at http://www.liciarando.com/ for more information and a printable teaching idea.

The Warmest Place of All, is also available at Pleasant St. Press http://pleasantstpress.com and on Amazon.com