Written by: Lesléa Newman
Illustrated by: Peter Ferguson
For Ages: 3-7 years
Language: English
Topics Covered: Self-Expression, Acceptance, Family.
Summary: Roger is a distractible, yet happy boy. He gets distracted by fabulous things in stores, on the way to school, and chatters away about how “fabulous” it all is! Unfortunately, not everyone is thrilled that Roger is late to school, home, and everywhere in between. His parents forbid him from using the word “fabulous” in hopes it will keep him on track, rather than distracted. Roger tries. He really does. But soon he is distracted by a marvelous diner, a wonderful bridge, a glorious band, and a beautiful boat. Roger follows a fantastic parade, and his parents trail along behind him looking perplexed. When Roger finally notices them, he looks worried. Much to his surprise, they smile and call him the “world’s most fabulous son!”
This is a rhyming book that covers acceptance, self-expression, and gives tons of great vocabulary words for early readers. Roger’s parents learn to accept and appreciate his joyful and distracted nature, rather than stifle it.
About the Author & the Illustrator:
Lesléa (pronounced “Lez-LEE-uh”) Newman is the author of 70 books for readers of all ages, including A Letter to Harvey Milk; October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard; I Carry My Mother; The Boy Who Cried Fabulous; Ketzel, the Cat Who Composed; and Heather Has Two Mommies. She has received many literary awards, including creative writing fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Massachusetts Artists Foundation, two American Library Association Stonewall Honors, the Massachusetts Book Award, the Association of Jewish Libraries Sydney Taylor Award, the Highlights for Children Fiction Writing Award, a Money for Women/Barbara Deming Memorial Fiction Writing grant, the James Baldwin Award for Cultural Achievement, the Cat Writer’s Association Muse Medallion, and the Dog Writers Association of America’s Maxwell Medallion. Nine of her books have been Lambda Literary Award Finalists. Ms. Newman wrote Heather Has Two Mommies, the first children’s book to portray lesbian families in a positive way, and has followed up this pioneering work with several more children’s books on lesbian and gay families: Felicia’s Favorite Story, Too Far Away to Touch, Saturday Is Pattyday, Mommy, Mama, and Me, and Daddy, Papa, and Me.
Peter Ferguson was born in Montreal, Canada in 1968. He set his sights on an illustration career after seeing the movie Star Wars, deciding that he would like to draw spaceships. After graduating from the Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto in 1992, he began his career as a professional illustrator, using oil as his medium of choice. Peter’s brilliant ability to conceptualize clients’ ideas as well as his distinctive characters gave him a running start in the editorial and book publishing markets. Since signing with Three in a Box Inc, Peter’s career has grown steadily. His clients include Marvel Comics, The Royal Shakespeare Company, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Times, Mojo, Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times. Peter has also illustrated the covers of the popular Sisters Grimm collection.