Jamie Michalak, the author of Frank and Bean: The Stinky Feet Monster, joins us to talk about her book, her inspirational children, the last thing she googled, the reason she’s not terrified of the ocean, and so much more. First, the details!
Frank and Bean: The Stinky Feet Monster by Jamie Michalak, illustrated by Bob Kolar, and published by Candlewick Press.
Description from Goodreads:
Frank takes the lead in tracking down a very smelly creature as our favorite culinary odd couple embark on their funniest adventure yet.
Frank has a book, a map, and a plan to find the Stinky Feet Monster. Bean has new boots, a new hat, and a drum, and is ready to rock—BOOM, BOOM, BOOM! He doesn’t believe in the Stinky Feet Monster, but as the two friends trek through the dark woods, they encounter strange noises, big footprints, and a very foul odor. Could that be the elusive monster? Will it make Frank and Bean its next meal? Get ready for a final twist as wry text, deadpan timing, a dash of suspense, and bright, comic illustrations lay out a feast for beginning readers and young listeners hungry for laughs.
Releasing September 26, 2023, Frank and Bean: The Stinky Feet Monster is a fun and fast-paced early chapter book that keeps kids laughing the whole way through. I read this with my son and at first, he didn’t like the idea of chapters in a picture book. But by the end, he was laughing out loud. The text is at the perfect age for beginning readers to help them feel successful. This is my first experience with the Frank and Bean series, but I loved the bold, fun illustrations and would definitely recommend these books to parents as a bridge in early reading.
My favorite spread:
My favorite line:
“Stinky, stinky, stinky feet!
Come on out so we can meet.
Let us know if you are real.
But please don’t make us your next meal.”
Meet the Author
Jamie Michalak is a former editor and the author of many children’s books. Her titles include the FRANK AND BEAN early reader series, illustrated by Bob Kolar; the multiple-star reviewed NIKI NAKAYAMA: A CHEF’S TALE IN 13 BITES, co-written with Debbi Michiko Florence and illustrated by Yuko Kato-Jones; DAKOTA CRUMB: TINY TREASURE HUNTER and DAKOTA CRUMB AND THE SECRET BOOKSHOP: A TINY TREASURE HUNT, illustrated by Kelly Murphy; the JOE AND SPARKY early readers series, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz; and COME ON IN: THERE’S A PARTY IN THIS BOOK!, illustrated by Sabine Timm.
When not writing, she can often be found singing off-key, drinking too much coffee, or hanging out with her two sons. Jamie was born in Springfield, Massachusetts and now resides with her family in Barrington, Rhode Island.
Follow Jamie on Twitter, Instagram, or her website: www.jamiemichalakbooks.com
What inspired you to become a picture book author?
I didn’t know I wanted to be a picture book author, until I became a children’s book editorial assistant. I had moved to New York City to find any job in publishing, and serendipitously fell into the children’s book world. As an assistant, I read hundreds of picture book manuscripts a week, and it was the best education for writing my own stories. I was a closet writer for many years, and I wrote lots of rejected stories. But those rejections often came with notes of encouragement, and those notes helped keep me going.
If I knew I wouldn’t be greeted by a shark or hugged by a giant squid, I’d say the depths of the ocean.
What inspired you to write this book?
The Frank and Bean characters were inspired by the little odd couple living with me — my sons, who were about 7 and 5 at the time. Like Bean, the baked bean rock star, my chatty younger son loved donuts, the drums, and anything loud. My older son was more like Frank the hot dog, the quiet and outdoorsy spork collector. So I didn’t have to look far for material. This third story, FRANK AND BEAN: THE STINKY FEET MONSTER, was sparked by my love of Bigfoot, who probably has stinky feet, too.
“What are the scariest creatures in the ocean?” I just learned about Viperfish and Goblin Sharks. (Maybe I will explore outer space instead.)
What was your experience working with an illustrator like?
One of my favorite parts about working with illustrator Bob Kolar is seeing the laugh-out-loud details he added that aren’t in the manuscript. For example, the dancing wind man in FRANK AND BEAN: FOOD TRUCK FIASCO was only in a scene or two of the manuscript. But in the book, it kind of becomes its own character, hilariously capturing the emotion of that particular scene. It’s inspiring to to work with an artist who has such a fantastic sense of humor.
Yes, the talk show host Guy Smiley from Sesame Street.
What advice would you give a new writer?
Trust your gut. When you write a story, you’ll receive endless opinions at every stage, and a whole lot more after it’s published. In the beginning, I thought I had to follow every comment. Now, while I still take in and appreciate every suggestion, I know to only follow those that feel right to me. If not, the story ends up going sideways, and then I have to backtrack to remember why I wrote it in the first place.
I was at a friend’s party, when I leaned too far back in my chair, flipped over, and rolled down a hill. Then, I moved to a chaise lounger with plastic slats. I tried to prop myself up but my hand fell between the slats until I was flat out on the chair with my hand on the patio. Sooo … not a great day for me and chairs.
What exciting things do you have coming up?
I’m excited about HAZEL THE HANDFUL, a picture book about a sassypants Yorkie who lives a sensational life with her girl Bea, until a baby shows up and (nearly) ruins everything. It’s wonderfully illustrated by Matt Myers and will published by Candlewick Press in Spring 2025.
I think my friends might say Nutty Buddy.
Special Thanks
Jamie would like to send a special thanks to her editor, Joan Powers, her agent Victoria Wells Arms, and to everyone for their love and support of this and all of her books! Be sure to share your love and support below.
You can purchase this book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or anywhere books are sold.