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November 18, 2014 by Travis Jonker

Sara Varon Has Been Busy: An Exclusive First Look at Her New Projects

November 18, 2014 by Travis Jonker   3 comments

Sara Varon is the creator of the first book I ever reviewed on this blog – Robot Dreams. I’ve been enjoying her work ever since, including Chicken and Cat Clean Up in 2009 and Odd Duck last year.

Today I’m happy to announce that Sara has a batch of new projects in the works. Let’s hear about them, Sara.

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I’m excited to be working on a bunch of new books for the great folks at First Second!!

Right now, I’m working on a project called Sweaterweather. It’s a reprint of a book of short stories that I made in 2003 – my very first book!! The new version will be redesigned and have about 50 pages of new material. I believe it’s due out in Fall 2015.

(click on images to enlarge)

Next I’ll be working on a 192-page as-of-yet-untitled book about a donkey shoemaker named Francis who lives in a tropical village. Through a confluence of events, he is forced to leave the comforts of his village in search of a missing friend. His journey takes him into the jungle, where ha has lots of adventures, meets strange animals, and learns a little about fruits and plants. Here are some thumbnails.

This will be followed by a 32 page wordless picture book about a dog and his bird friend who get caught in a rainstorm. 

My 4th project, Darwinia will be another graphic novel/picture book hybrid, around 120 pages. The story follows an eponymous sea-faring monkey who sets sail on an around-the-world expedition with her companion (not by choice,) a spoiled poodle whom she discovers has stowed away on her ship. Written by TR Simon.

All coming (relatively) soon!!

Sara was also kind enough to take part in a quick illustrated interview…

I shoulda known! Thanks Sara.

And many thanks to Gina Gagliano at First Second for making this post happen.

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About Travis Jonker

Travis Jonker is an elementary school librarian in Michigan. He writes reviews (and the occasional article or two) for School Library Journal and is a member of the 2014 Caldecott committee. You can email Travis at scopenotes@gmail.com, or follow him on Twitter: @100scopenotes.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Josh Funk says

    November 18, 2014 at 9:59 am

    The kids LOVE Sara Varon’s stuff! It fits a need in between the Lunch Lady and Smile/Sisters age group and has been perfect for us! Awesome art! Glad she’s got so much coming out soon!

  2. kim baker says

    November 18, 2014 at 11:36 am

    Great post! We’re big Sara Varon fans in our house. All of the new projects sounds great! Looking forward to them.

  3. Rebecca Jones says

    November 18, 2014 at 10:00 pm

    My daughter, who is 9, will be so excited! She loves Odd Duck, Robot Dreams, and Bake Sale!

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