Publishers Weekly reports that legendary cartoonist Jules Feiffer, 95, will be releasing his first children’s graphic novel this year. The middle-grade book, “Amazing Grapes,” will follow a family who become tasked with saving another dimension, while looking for their missing mother. It will be published by HarperCollins imprint Michael di Capua Books on September 24.
In a statement, Feiffer commented, “Writing for young readers connects me professionally to a part of myself that I didn’t know how to let out until I was 60. That kid who lived a life of innocence, mixed with confusion and consternation, disappointment, and dopey humor. And who drew comic strips and needed friends — and found them — in cartoons and children’s books that told him what the grown-ups in his life had left out. That’s what reading did for me when I was a kid. Now I try to return the favor.”
Publisher Michael di Capua states, “It’s hard to believe it’s been over 30 years since Jules Feiffer and I began working together. Jules is breaking new ground at 95. ‘Amazing Grapes,’ his first graphic novel for kids, is just as dazzling as you’d expect from this lifelong lover of graphic novels.” Di Capua first met Feiffer when he was an editor at HarperCollins, after Maurice Sendak recommended him to discuss publishing 1993’s The Man in the Ceiling, which was the first children’s book Feiffer wrote. The pair have collaborated on several books since, including 1999’s bestselling picture book Bark, George, and its 2020 sequel Smart George, which marked Feiffer’s most recent project.
“Amazing Grapes” will retail at 296 pages in paperback for $21.99, hardback for $29.99, and as an ebook for $10.99. It is available to pre-order now ahead of its September 24 release from all good bookstores.
