Kids Comics Pitchfest 2023 Showcase

Understone

Caves are dangerous, sure. Full of weird fungi and bugs and creatures that want to eat you? Absolutely. But compared to dealing with family? They’re easy. Squished in between four sisters (soon to be five, with his luck) Granite feels forgotten. After a sibling squabble ends with Mom’s cherished vase in pieces, he goes on a simple quest - find sticky slug slime to glue it back together. But when a hungry dino-bird attack sends Granite tumbling into the depths of Understone, he’ll have to root out a way home with the help of giant insects, new friends, and the stinkiest mushroom ever.
This hybrid novel combines the humor of THE LAST KIDS ON EARTH with a touch of games like THE LEGEND OF ZELDA and will appeal to reluctant readers ages 8-11.

My Why:

As a mom of boys, I’ve struggled to find modern middle grade books that have male protagonists, especially those that bridge the gap between irreverent, funny chapter books and full, no pictures prose books. I wanted to create a story that a caregiver could read to their kids at bedtime or a reluctant reader could pick up on their own. That’s what I love about hybrid books. The graphic novel elements interwoven with prose creates a storytelling experience that neither can do on their own.

As for the story itself, I wanted to capture the feelings that video games like The Legend of Zelda and Minecraft give me. The whimsical environments, the expansive worlds, the quirky characters, and all in all, the fun.