Bianca with Josh Funk on Dear Unicorn

Join the conversation with author Josh Funk as he discusses the unique nuances between Dear Dragon and Dear Unicorn. In this lively discussion, Funk taps into the concept of duality in relationships—how a balance between positivity and negativity can facilitate growth. Discover the intricate details in the book's illustrations, and learn how asking questions and staying curious can bring color and excitement to life. This conversation encourages readers to appreciate art, celebrate their differences, and learn to connect more deeply with others. Listen up and be inspired to channel your inner creativity and keep an open mind in your day-to-day interactions. By day, Josh Funk writes C++, Java Code, and Python scripts as a software engineer, which he's been doing for the last twenty years. In his spare time he uses ABC's, drinks Java coffee, and writes picture book manuscripts, such as How to Code a Sandcastle, Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast, The Case of the Stinky Stench, Dear Dragon, and more. Josh graduated from the UMass Amherst Commonwealth College with a degree in computer science. He is a board member of the Writers' Loft in Sherborn, Massachusetts, and the co-coordinator of the 2017 New England Regional SCBWI Conference. Transcription: You can read the transcription on ⁠The Children's Book Review. Order a Copy: Dear Unicorn on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠. Resources: You can find out more about Josh Funk at https://www.joshfunkbooks.com/. Discussion Topics: Josh Funk talks about: The inspiration behind his previous book, Dear Dragon, and how it unintentionally became a hit with teachers for its themes of friendship and challenging assumptions. How he came up with the idea for Dear Unicorn while waiting in line for a roller coaster at Disney World and wrote the entire first draft on his phone with his child's help. The difference between Dear Dragon and Dear Unicorn Using art to communicate and express emotions. Takeaways for kids reading Dear Unicorn. Balance between positivity and negativity in relationships and how it can lead to growth. How getting to know someone allows for more authenticity The characters of Connie and Nic, the unicorn, express themselves differently. Josh and Bianca read a page from Dear Unicorn. Using his platform to share the work of other authors and push for inclusivity and representation