Tehachapi News

Cartoon Booksigning! Ray Friesen's Cupcakes of Doom!

By: Ray Friesen

Start: Dec 19 2008 - 23:00
Time: 1:00pm
Price: FREE
Contact: ray friesen | raisegrate@yahoo.com | 661.822.6999

California author Ray Friesen, age 21, is celebrating the release of his newgraphic novel 'Cupcakes of DOOM' with a Booksigning Party and Free Cartooning Classes at Books & Crannies, Saturday December 20th. "It's a graphic-novel-of-the-humorous-persuasion" grinned Friesen, holding up a copy, and chewing on it slightly.

Friesen described his newest work as "A must read for kids and kids at heart. If you like silly, then giggling is guaranteed." The story revolves around a clump of pirates, Captain Scurvybeard, YoHo Joseph, Peglegless Pete, Lester, and more, who must embark on a quest to find the ultimate pastry: The Long Lost CUPCAKES OF DOOM! Only this can defeat their rivals, those lousy vikings and their deliciously evil Viking Pie. As you'd expect, there are sword fights aplenty, parrots, penguins, sea serpents, a treasure hunt or two, and all sorts of other piratey shenanigans.

Friesen has been a professional cartoonist for seven years, having founded his publishing company, Don't Eat Any Bugs Productions in order to further his cartooning career.  He has 3 other book collections, 'Another Dirt Sandwich', 'A Cheese Related Mishap' and 'YARG!'

In his first year of cartooning professionally, Ray was nominated for the prestigious "Ignatz  Award" for promising new talent. Ray's works have been favorably reviewed by the American Library Association, Los Angeles Daily News, Wizard Magazine, and more. Ray sometimes guest lectures at California elementary schools, sharing his experiences and drawing them penguins. He was one of the ALA Booklists Top Ten Graphic Novels of the Year for Kids.

  "...The jokey asides and playfully sophisticated take on language are reminiscent of Walt Kelly’s Pogo, but the gag-a-second pace may leave some readers a bit numb. Others, however, will hold their sides for the duration of this manic blend of mayhem and adventure."  -- American Library Association BookList

Ray will be signing books, doing free sketches, teaching kids how to draw their own cartoons, and giving away some free t-shirts and some other fabulous prizes to winners of the Pirate Yelling Contest, which will be held during the signing. So, if you enjoy humor, ostriches, cowboys, pirates, penguins, free stuff, or just enjoy yelling, there isn't a better place to be on Saturday the 20th than at Books & Crannies

For more information, and to read Ray's free weekly web comic strip, visit www.DontEatAnyBugs.com