THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY: Wild About The Alphabet, and Other Tales by Mike Crowder

When I started this new blog post series, I did it with the idea of sharing the WHY I created my stories, but then I thought…why not share OTHER authors STORY BEHIND “THEIR” STORY? I put the call out and soon I had tons of authors who wanted to share their backstories with my readers. This week my friend and children’s book author, Mike Crowder, is sharing the WHY he wrote his newly released book, “WILD ABOUT THE ALPHABET, and Other Tales”. Take it away, Mike…

Wild About The Alphabet by Mike Crowder

My name is Mike Crowder, and I’ve been a writer since 2017. My journey started out a little different than most, as I was first trained as an illustrator. 

I attended SCAD. I had done the illustration “M Is NOT for Chimpanzee” whilst still in college, and, years later, my fabulous wife, Gwen, insisted I do an entire alphabet! 

“But Gwen, it’s ONE letter!”

She persevered, and in 2017, I finally relented, and began drawing “A Is for Alligator.” While I was drawing, I began to come up with facts about the animals I was drawing, and I decided I should write an alphabet book, but not just any old alphabet book, one to keep adults engaged whilst reading to those who can’t. One to hold kids’ interest as they get older; one to grow with the child!

My dream became a reality when, in 2020, I first published “Wild about the Alphabet! (And Other Tales).” I’m pleased to say the response has been as I expected: I have parents buying it for their children, teens buying it for themselves, and even adults buying it for themselves!

After completing my first book, people began to inquire as to my NEXT book. To which I replied, “NEXT book?” I figured I should do something kids like: dinosaurs, maybe. Then I heard that annoying song, “Baby Shark,” and found my subject! Thus was created “Hammy Hammerhead’s (almost) Big Adventure!”

Here is WILD ABOUT THE ALPHABET, and Other Tales’s book blurb:

“It’s Not Your Gramma’s ABCs! A cutting-edge book about animals, cleverly designed as an alphabet book! It’s chock-full o’ fantastic illustrations, brilliant writing, interesting facts, and biting humor… It’s not just a book about the alphabet!!

Designed to grow with your child, it’s already educated and entertained children up to 13, college students, and even grandparents… not just preschoolers!”

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Although already a darling of smart folk everywhere, it wasn’t until his actual birth in 1963 that Mr. Crowder began to meet with any popular acclaim.

He was raised in scenic Rat Town, Florida...

In a barn…

By wolves…

Or maybe, apes…

Mr. Crowder’s advances in the science of rocket surgery cannot be ignored. He is older’n God, has an itchy spleen, and a disposition that can only be described as “odd.”

He and his fabulous wife, Gwen, currently live somewhere in the Southeast, with his dogs, Bo and Luke.

In Rat Town.

Or maybe somewhere else.

His only regret in life is that it took him so long to find his lovely and VERY capable wife, Gwen.

Find him on the internet at GraySheepGraphics.com

Want to connect?

Facebook: www.facebook.com/GraySheepGraphics/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/authormikecrowder/

Donna L

Hybrid award winning author; aspiring sketch artist; and 4th Degree Senior Certified Taekwondo Instructor. Host of BOOK NOOK REVIEWS. Member of SCBWI. Mom to fabulous son and adventurer delving into the tricky world of indie-publishing.

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