Kids Comics Pitchfest 2023 Showcase

Anxious Animals Support Group: Tummy Troubles

Tummy Troubles is the first in a series of creative nonfiction graphic picture books that use humor to spotlight the science of animal body parts.

Gathered at a support group meeting, a curious cast of creatures commiserate about their embarrassing stomachs—one-upping each other’s weirdness from delicious vomit to a stomach that turns inside out to no stomach at all. Amidst the laugh-inducing chaos, tummy troubles turn into triumphs as members help each other realize their perceived weaknesses are actually enviable strengths.

Fans of Elise Gravel’s "Disgusting Critters" series will enjoy the edgy humor while enthusiasts of Sandra Markel’s "What If You Had" animal parts series will devour the fascinating facts.

My Why:

I want to share every aspect of our wondrous world with young readers to encourage a lifetime of loving science. My favorite creative endeavor is finding intriguing ways to make seemingly dull facts come alive. The idea for this series stemmed from my sons and I watching bees pollinate our backyard sunflowers. Of course, we read picture books to learn more about the busy buzzers, and it occurred to me that when we eat honey, we are eating bee vomit, sort of. Gross, yet delicious–honey was the beginning of the Anxious Animals comical concept. I intentionally threaded throughout a theme of community where perspective is gained and uniqueness is celebrated, a model of support for children and the adults whose laps they occupy.