[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Hi everyone! Kelli Panique here. We have a special treat today! I’m interviewing our own 12 x 12 founder, Julie Hedlund, as she reveals the cover her upcoming book with Michael Slack, OVER, BEAR! UNDER, WHERE? (Philomel, September 2021). But first, the book description…
Over and Under are friends enjoying a day at the park. They go on the swings (Over goes over Under) and the seesaw (Under is under Over). After adding a hot-dog dog to their coterie, they spot . . . a bear! (Unbearable!) But is he really such a scary creature? Readers can pick apart the wordplay in this funny, punny story about a pair of pals discovering that friendship underpins all.
Julie, as I type this, we have more than 1500 authors and illustrators who’ve joined 12 x 12 in 2021! How does it feel to do a cover reveal on the blog of this huge community you’ve created?
It feels marvelous, and a tiny bit surreal. When I started 12 x 12 (in 2012), I didn’t have an agent or any published books. And while I did have two books published prior to this one, they came out several years ago, so I almost feel like a “book virgin.” LOL! It’s not an exaggeration to say that even as the 12 x 12 community has grown over the years, it is family to me. So to reveal my cover with you all is special beyond words.
I have to ask, was OVER, BEAR! UNDER, WHERE? a 12 x 12 draft?
Everything I’ve written since 2012 is a 12 x 12 draft, and OVER, BEAR! is my February 2016 draft. It was a StoryStorm idea (then called PiBoIdMo) from 2015.
What inspired you to write this book?
As proof that ideas can come from anywhere, the original inspiration for the book was this scene in the movie Airplane, which I find just as hilarious today as I did the first time I saw it:
I got to wondering whether a picture book with characters named Over and Under could be as funny if it included their spatial relationships as well as turning what would be compound words into dialogue. What I ended up with at first was something that amused ME but wasn’t really a story. Once I added Bear (and the hot-dog dog), I realized the heart of the tale was about dropping pre-conceived notions, acceptance, and friendship.
Okay, let’s get to the main event, shall we? Without further ado, here is the cover for OVER, BEAR! UNDER, WHERE?
Where can I go to see the announcement and pre-order the book?
Wow! You know I love this cover so much. What was your reaction when you saw Michael’s cover for the first time?
I believe I actually squealed. And honestly, I’m not a squealer. But the minute I saw it, I knew it was the most perfect cover imaginable for this book. Michael took the humor into the stratosphere with the text placement on the bear’s behind (which also features in the story), which also elevates the double-entendre of the words “under” and “where” in such a brilliant way. Plus, can we talk about how he made Over a bird and Under a mole? That was ALL Michael. So as a gentle reminder to authors – trust your illustrators! They will find ways to make your words come to life that you could never have imagined.
Thanks, Julie! It’s been fun to turn the tables and see you being interviewed. Also, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention to everyone else that this is the final week of 12 x 12 registration for 2021. If you are interested in getting the accountability, support, and motivation to write your picture books this year, check out our Membership page!
Thank YOU, Kelli. And for anyone who hasn’t met Kelli, know that she is the miracle that makes all things happen in 12 x 12. Without her exceptional organization and customer service skills, I wouldn’t be able to write a word!
OVER, BEAR! UNDER, WHERE? is now available for pre-order at Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and everywhere books are sold, including your local independent bookstore.
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47 Responses
The books sounds hilarious and heartfelt and just a yummy mix of fun! Congratulations, Julie! The cover is wonderful!
Incredible delightful! Congrats, I love the cover. I can imagine how the story will fold. Adorable!
The cover looks lovely and the story sounds silly and fun to read.
Congrats!
Aww, that’s lovely, Julie! Can’t wait to read your next greatest hit! 🙂
I love this cover and can’t wait to get a copy. Many congratulations, Julie!!
Looks fantastic, Julie! I can’t wait to read it!
Congratulations, Julie! What a cute and funny cover! I look forward to reading this.
Such a cute cover! 😄
What a very cute cover!
Thrilled for you, Julie! Will definitely order. You have been such a support for our writing community. It’s our turn to support you. Yay!
An absolutely adorable cover! I can’t wait to read it. Congratulations, Julie!
Wow. I am already smiling and haven’t even read the book. I am beside myself with joy and don’t want to be behind in wishing you the best!
I love it! Congrats Julie! Looking forward to ordering it as as soon as I can.
Congrats, Julie! This looks like a lot of fun and I can’t wait to read it!
Congratulations Julie!
I am beyond thrilled for you Julie. Can’t wait to get my own copy.
This is amazing Julie! Thank you for sharing more about the journey of this story. Kids will love this hilarious book!
I can’t wait to read this one! Congrats to our fearless leader!
It’s perfect! Congrats!
This is super exciting news. Congratulations!
Love it, Julie! Kids will find that so hilarious!!
Super exciting Julie!
Congrats Julie! Your new book sounds like it will delight everyone who reads it!
Woohooooo! Congrats Julie!
Such a wonderful event! And to be able to “cover-reveal” it on your 12×12 blog with your right-hand-person, makes it triple-y special! Congratulations!
How outrageously cute!
The cover is fantastic, Julie. Sounds like a great read aloud! Congratulations!
This makes me so happy – both the cover and that it is your book, Julie!
Congratulations, Julie! This looks really fun! Awesome cover!
That cover is adorable. Roll on September! I love that your source of inspiration is that scene in Airplane … Classic pun territory!
Sounds like a very fun story and the cover is gorgeous and cute. Can’t wait to get a copy. Congrats Julie.
I love this cover so much. Especially the bear!
This is so cute!! And hilarious. My kids would already be grinning in anticipation if I pulled this out of the bag 🙂 :).
Congratulations!!!
Adria
Wow! So adorable! And funny. Love the big bear bottom, which tells me this book is full of humor! Congrats Julie!
This is so CUTE! Can’t wait to read it!
Love the cover! Thanks for sharing! Congratulations, Julie!! 🙂
This made me smile and I know future readers will have an even bigger smile. Congrats Julie!
I laughed when I saw the color. Looks fun!
How terrific to see our fearless leader in action! Congratulations! Couldn’t be more deserving.
Love it! I would absolutely have chosen to read this at storytime simply based on the cover! The fun that can be had with the storyline is like icing on the cake 🙂
So cute! Can’t wait to read it. Love where you got your inspiration, Julie!
Now that is a book cover !
Thank you for sharing it and sharing your thoughts.
How could anything inspired by AIRPLANE not be wonderful! Can’t wait to read this one!
This is so awesome and inspiring. Sounds hilarious!!!
How FUN! I can’t wait to read!!!
Congratulations and thanks for sharing your story about how this book came to be! To think you didn’t even specify what type of creatures Over and Under were. Wow! I can’t wait to read it.
Congratulations, Julie! So exciting! You’re such an inspiration and I look forward to reading it.