WHO TO KNOW

Glubbery Gray,
The Knight-Eating Beast
Beth Kander and Bret Kenyon
By Myles Cryer
Photo by Erin Fults

FROM THE CREATIVE GENIUS OF BETH KANDER AND Bret Kenyon comes a new children’s book, Glubbery Gray, The Knight-Eating Beast, with illustrations by the talented artist Jesse Labbe.

Theatre and writing friends since 2004, Beth and Bret both work for Mad Genius (also known as Eyevox Entertainment) alongside Jesse. The birth of Glubbery Gray can be credited to Jesse, who, as Beth says, “Can tell a story with art.” Jesse, “an artist through and through” according to Bret, created the image of Glubbery and wanted to go further. He approached Bret and Beth about writing a children’s book, which they agreed to and then they pitched it to Eyevox. Eyevox readily agreed, supplying the creative direction for the book, alongside Opie Cooper. The three quickly set to work: Jesse providing the vivid illustration, Bret writing the storyline, and Beth converting Bret’s work into rhyming couplets.

When asked why they decided to write a children’s book, Bret says, “It was one of many things to try. It was something that we just hadn’t put our hands to yet.” Bret has always been involved in writing. He wrote for Belhaven’s literary journal The Brogue, is a freelance writer, and is, of course, a writer for Mad Genius. Similarly, Beth began her writing career with stories and playwriting. She was first published at the age of 14 and hasn’t stopped since, writing plays, songs, stories and commercials. Jesse is also well-known throughout the art industry. He is a frequent artist at the local Comic Con, and his recently published book Berona’s War exemplifies his artistic and creative skills. All this combines to produce a children’s book that is sure to entertain both children, for its eye-popping illustrations and rhymes, and parents, for its interesting story.

Glubbery Gray, The Knight-Eating Beast is essentially a counting book about a creature who, as the title suggests, eats knights. The story starts with eight knights, but as the story progresses, the number predictably decreases. As Beth says, “It’s a counting book with a twist.” But, not to worry, there is a theme woven into the pages. (None of the knights actually die. They are regurgitated at the end.) Beth elaborates, “It’s mostly fun and cheeky. But it teaches kids to pay attention and make good choices.The knights are eaten because they were doing something that they weren’t supposed to.” Bret did not think that the book was too scary. “It’s OK to be a little scary, as long as the good guy wins.”

The book is set to be released in September. (No exact date has been set). It will be available through the Pelican Publishing Company’s website, as well as through Amazon.
Both writers had praise for Mississippi’s literary influences. Beth states, “Mississippi is a state of such a great literary history, and it’s an honor to be a part of it.” Bret, sitting beside her, nods in agreement and says, “I do believe good things are going to continue to come out of Jackson.”