Author Profile: Local author Charlotte Gunnufson releases her latest picture book

Local children's book author Charlotte Gunnufson was feeding the family fish one morning when a new idea for a picture book struck her.

'I always have my radar up for ideas, and so as I was feeding the fish I noticed the castle in the aquarium and just thought, ‘Wouldn't it be funny if he thought he was a royal fish?'”

So Gunnufson of Cedar Rapids started writing and playing with the idea. That was back in spring of 2013. Gunnufson is also author to the picture book 'Halloween Hustle.” Her poems have appeared in Highlights, Highlights High Five and Hello, Cricket, Spider, Ladybug, Babybug, Jack & Jill, Humpty Dumpty and Turtle magazines.

Now, many words and revisions and a mere four years later, the story comes to life as 'Prince and Pirate,” an adorable and hilarious picture book published by Putnam that releases Tuesday.

It tells the story of Prince and Pirate who are, according to Gunnufson, 'proud masters of their very own fishbowls, and life goes along swimmingly - until they're scooped up and plopped into shared waters.”

'Prince lives in his own bowl and thinks he's all that. Pirate lives in his own bowl and thinks he's all that,” Gunnufson explained. 'When they are put in the same tank and it becomes a battle - Prince throws pirate in the dungeon. Pirate makes Prince swim the plank.”

'Prince and Pirate are very distinct characters - whale-sized personalities really - and because of how extreme they are you can just see the conflict coming,” she added, noting that a surprise shows up in the story to help the fish learn a lesson about getting along.

Often inspired by everyday objects, Gunnufson said, 'I think I am open, subconsciously at least, to seeing everything as a story idea. That seems to be the way kids think. Adults, because we have so many things vying for our time and attention, can lose that open-ended, story-in-everything-you-see sort of thinking.”

Gunnufson - whose first picture book 'Halloween Hustle” was a rhyming story - said Prince and Pirate went through a lot of revisions before getting to its completed state. 'At the time I submitted this, my editor wanted the turning point as it was written cut out of the story, and I thought it was impossible. It took me a couple of weeks to figure out how to rewrite it. Just when you think you can't rewrite a story one more time, you can.”

All the work Gunnufson put into making the story come together paid off, as it is sure to make young readers laugh out loud time and time again. 'There are funny piratey and princely words,” she said. 'I think the silliness and outlandishness of it will make kids laugh.”

The book is illustrated by Mike Lowery, and Gunnufson said his cartoonish style is perfect for the story.

'The illustrator adds little funny details that enhance the reading,” she said. 'So when you read it over and over again you notice the quirky details,” she said.

A great read aloud book, Gunnufson said the book should be enjoyed by adults, too.

'Of course you can always try reading it with fun accents. But another part of the reason it's fun for grown-ups is because true human nature is revealed in these fish. Plus there are some humorous puns that the parents can appreciate.”

And while there's big fun and laughs the whole way through this fishy tale, the book's subtle messaging about sharing and acceptance are great reminders for kids, especially perhaps kids growing up in blended families, Gunnufson said.

'Prince and Pirate show us that you have to share what you don't want to share. And you have to get along with someone who is not like you, someone who may talk or act differently,” she said.

To celebrate the official release of the book, Gunnufson has planned a book launch party from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Cedar Rapids Public Library.

Kids (especially 3- to 9-year-olds) are encouraged to come in costume and join the fun. There will be activities and crafts, plus attendees will get to see the animated book trailer and singalong kid video. Gunnufson will read from the book, and copies will be for sale.

'It's going to be a lot of fun,” she said.

Gunnufson also will be at events around the area this summer to promote 'Prince and Pirate.” To find out more, visit www.booksbycharlotte.com.