GENRE: Humor, Character Driven
WORDS: 200
Query:
Dear Judges, Agents and Editors,
Thank you for your participation in Picture Book Party, and for your interest in my debut picture book, BRODY DREAMS OF PIZZA.
A dream is a wish your tastebuds make. (That’s how the saying goes, right?) Well, it is for Brody, whose only dream is to get his paws on some pizza. Trouble is, pizza can be hard to come by when you’re a dog. Brody wants pizza so bad he can taste it! And smell it, and see it, just about everywhere. It sure seems like pizza is all around, but somehow always just out of reach. Will the pizza of Brody’s dreams ever become a reality?
At roughly 200 words, BRODY DREAMS OF PIZZA follows one dog’s longing for pizza, with many amusing missteps along the way. Fans of playful, imaginative stories like Ian Falconer’s OLIVIA and Brendan Wenzel’s TWO TOGETHER will love watching Brody chase his pizza dreams. Brody is a quirky, determined character to shake your head at, root for, and love.
I am an illustrator, writer, graphic designer, and most important, optimist (like Brody). I studied illustration and advertising design at SCAD before embarking on a career in brand design. The birth of my second child (and the loss of the doggie love of my life) inspired me to revisit my first love, picture books, and begin crafting this story. BRODY DREAMS OF PIZZA has been shaped and supported by my creative communities in SCBWI and The Illustration Department, as well as my beloved critique group.
In addition to a full dummy of BRODY DREAMS OF PIZZA, I have other self-authored projects available to review. I am also open to illustrating other authors’ works.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Excerpt:
Hi. I’m Brody.
See?
I’m a sniffy, floofy, derpy boy.
The goodest boy, I’ve been told.
But… there’s only one thing you need to know about me.
I love pizza!
It all started when…
…my tiny human dropped a slice.
I knew nothing would ever be the same.
Cheesy. Crispy. Crunchy.
What bliss!
Pizza is the goodest!
One taste is all it took.
From that day forward, I’ve been
obsessed.
What inspired you to write this story & what do you have in common with it:
Brody was a real dog, a “foster fail” who came into our lives and stayed longer than anyone ever expected he would. He was truly obsessed with pizza, and seemed convinced he would get some, at every possible turn. Once in a while, he did!
After spending five wonderful years with the real-life Brody and his insatiable desire for pizza, I realized that dogs are the ultimate optimists. They always have hope in their hearts (and their tummies) – and I had to tell his story.
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