Pickle Bumps for Baby Dill by Bob Fulton
In his first picture book for children, Pickle Bumps for Baby Dill, Bob Fulton uses a variety of pickle and olive characters to help young children understand the importance of accepting and supporting those with differences. His book is a fun, colorful and beautifully illustrated story about Baby Dill, who was born without pickle bumps. The book fits nicely into the current concern about bullying in schools, because diversity and encouraging young children to accept and support those with differences is the story’s important message. A diverse cast of pickle and olive characters, with fun names like Gert and Mertin Gherkin, Olive Pitt and Karl Kalamata, play important roles as the story develops. The end result is a humorous story, full of tongue twisters and fun for readers of all ages. For more information about the book, please visit the book’s website: www.picklebumppress.com.
BIOGRAPHY
Bob Fulton is a Professor Emeritus at Saint John’s University in Central Minnesota. Before his retirement in June of 2008, he taught in the Saint John's University/College of Saint Benedict joint chemistry department for 39 years. In addition to providing him the time to write and publish Pickle Bumps for Baby Dill, he also finds time for traveling, visiting children, and telling stories to his grandchildren. He and his wife, Jackie, reside on Middle Spunk Lake in Avon, Minnesota. Bob can be contacted at:
bob@picklebumppress.com.
ILLUSTRATOR BIOGRAPHY Melissa Meyer is originally from Saint Joseph, Minnesota. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse with an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts, and currently resides in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She continues work as an artist and hopes to inspire many with future picture books. THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY
Bob Fulton has always enjoyed reading books to his four grandchildren and Pickle Bumps for Baby Dill originated as a response to a grandson’s request to “tell us a story about a pickle.” At first, Bob wondered what he could say about pickles. The old adage “about as useful as a bump on a pickle” came to mind and became the focus of the initial story. The story rapidly became one of his grandchildren’s favorites, and the story continually evolved with each retelling. Eventually his oldest grandson suggested that he “make a real book out of the story,” and so he did! His four grandchildren were involved with book project from the very beginning, providing children’s viewpoints for the story, helping to select the illustrator and providing insights about the illustrations. The involvement of his grandchildren has made the book project an especially rewarding one.
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING
"Bob Fulton's Pickle Bumps for Baby Dill is a bright, colorful story of a young pickle's journey to self-acceptance. This book is full of original ideas, tongue twisters, and fun for all ages. I highly recommend it!" - Seal Dwyer, North Star Press
"Fulton delivers a strong message via the Dill family and Baby Dill’s friends. His book offers encouragement. “We like you just the way you are,” Baby Dill’s friends tell him. That’s a message that needs to reverberate throughout our schools, our homes, our communities." - Audrey Kletscher Helbling, Author/Photographer, Minnesota Prairie Roots Blog and Minnesota Moments
"This story gave me the inspiration to write a book for my grandchildren about the stories I have shared with them and that they can pass on to their children." - Susan Nordang, Grandmother
FEEDBACK FROM PHOENIX FIFTH GRADE STUDENTS
"I thought that your book was exquisite. My favorite part was when Baby Dill learned that he does not have to look like everybody else and that different is good."
"I liked the way you rhymed on some pages. The words were very interesting. To me it was kind of like a tongue twister. It was an awesome book."
"I did like the kinds of friends that cared about Baby Dill. Also, because the parents were worried he didn’t have any pickle bumps. I love that book."
FEEDBACK FROM FOND DU LAC FIRST GRADE STUDENTS
"Thank you for coming to our classroom. I loved the story, the whole story and I hope you write another book!"
"Thank you for coming to our room. That book rocks. I love the book. I hope you come again."
“I loved the book. I like the words and the pictures."
"I love the story. The book was very awesome. Do you know I loved it?"
UPCOMING BOOK SIGNINGS
Book Signing, Avon Spunktacular Days Craft Fair Date: Saturday, June 18, 2011
Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Place: Avon City Park, Avon, MN
Book Signing, 38th Annual Lemonade Concert and Art Fair
Date: Thursday, June 23, 2011
Time: 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Place: St. Cloud State University Mall
6th Street S and 1st Avenue
St. Cloud, MN
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