Raphael Simon, aka Pseudonymous Bosch, author of “The Secret Series” and “The Bad Books” series of fictional works, will discuss his new book, “The Anti Book,” a darkly funny story about a boy who wants the world to disappear, in Vroman’s Live, Vroman’s Bookstore’s regular discussion show on Crowdcast, at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 6.
Simon will be in conversation with Adam Gidwitz, author of the best-sellingbest selling children’s books “A Tale Dark and Grimm,” “In a Glass Grimmly,” and “The Grimm Conclusion,” all published by Puffin Books.
“The Anti Book” is a darkly funny fantasy — the story of a boy who wants the world to disappear, and what happens when it does. Mickey is angry all the time: at his divorced parents, at his sister, and at his two new stepmoms, both named Charlie. And so he can’t resist the ad inside his pack of gum: “Do you ever wish everyone would go away? Buy The Anti-Book! Satisfaction guaranteed.”
Mickey orders the book, but when it arrives, it’s blank — except for one line of instruction: To erase it, write it. He fills the pages with all the things and people he dislikes. Next thing he knows, he’s wandering an anti-world, one in which everything and everyone familiar is gone. Or are they?
His sister soon reappears — but she’s only four inches tall. A tiny talking house with wings looks strangely familiar, as does the mysterious half-invisible boy who seems to think that he and Mickey are best buds. The boy persuades Mickey to go find the Bubble Gum King — the king, who resides at the top of a mountain, is the only one who might be able to help Mickey fix the mess he’s made.
Vroman’s Bookstore says this fantastical quest for comfort and belonging is perfect for fans of classics like “The Phantom Tollbooth” and “Coraline.”
To watch the discussion for free, go to www.crowdcast.io/e/ztnils1y.
For more information, call (626) 449-5320 or visit www.vromansbookstore.com/
