Shreveport artist’s new graphic novels featured at Children’s Book Festival

Kirk Reedstrom spent most of his Houston childhood drawing and reading “Calvin & Hobbes” comics—and wound up at Centenary College for the opportunity to intern with award-winning author and illustrator William Joyce.

“There was never a time I didn’t love to draw,” he said in a fun FaceTime interview from his Southwest Shreveport home. You have to enjoy a writer who often develops ideas by doodling.

Reedstrom, manager of social media and digital services for Shreve Memorial Library, has recently released two humorous “Duck and Moose” early reader graphic novels for Disney Hyperion and is on deadline for a third to be released in December. “I did not think I would ever be published by Disney. It’s mind-boggling,” he said.

The debut series showcases unlikely friendships and the power of compromise—and I ordered (and read) copies for young readers in my life. They’re delightful books.

Shreve Memorial Children’s book festival set for May 4

Reedstrom will be part of a great line-up of authors and illustrators featured from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 4 at the free Shreve Memorial Library Children’s Book Festival, an annual event on the grounds of LSU-S.

“It’s a dream come true. I’ve been to every one as a bookseller or fan or library worker,” he said. I wholeheartedly agree with his description of this festival as “a real gift to the community.” In addition to talking about the inspiration for his books, he will “do live drawing. I want for any kid or adult to feel empowered to create.”

Other authors speaking include Victoria Kann, author and illustrator of “Pinkalicious”; Cara Mentzel, co-author of the children’s books “Loud Mouse” and “Proud Mouse”; bestselling author Jen Calonita, whose works are featured in the Disney “Lost Legends,” “Twisted Tales” and “Fairy Tale Reform School” series; and Vanessa Brantley Newton, award-winning children’s author/illustrator of books such as “Grandma’s Purse” and “Mary Had a Little Glam.” For more, https://www.shreve-lib.org.

Reedstrom exhibit at Meadows Museum

You can also see an exhibit of how the “Duck and Moose” books evolved—rough sketches to finished illustrations—at Centenary’s Meadows Museum through May 3. For more, https://www.themeadowsmuseum.com/meadows-exhibitions/sketch-comic.

The Duck and Moose books

--“Duck Moves In!” is book one. “Quiet-loving Moose's life is turned upside-down by free-wheeling Duck. The two will need to put their differences aside if they're ever going to be neighbors...or friends.”

--“Moose Blasts Off!” is the second book in which Moose loves playing astronaut. One day, Moose invites Duck to play with him. But there’s a problem—Duck doesn’t know how to use his imagination. How will these friends learn how to work—and imagine—together?

-- “Duck and Moose: Duck in the Dark!”about a best friend sleepover is coming in December.

“I love writing for kids. It’s fun to be really silly. It just seems to be where I fit,” Reedstrom said. For more on his work and classroom and group appearances, see www.kirkreedstrom.com.

“Come out to the book festival,” he said. “It’s going to be so much fun.”

Columnist Judy Christie and NYT bestselling author Lisa Wingate co-authored “Before and After: The Incredible Real-Life Stories of Orphans Who Survived the Tennessee Children’s Home Society,” the nonfiction sequel to Wingate’s bestselling novel “Before We Were Yours.” For more about Christie, see www.judychristie.com or follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JudyChristieAuthor.

This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: Shreveport artist’s new graphic novels featured at Children’s Book Festival