Sidekicks 2: Operation Squish!

by Dan Danko, Tom Mason, Barry Gott (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 9-12
School & Library Binding: 106 pages
Publisher: Tandem Library (November 30, 2003)
ISBN-10: 0613717481 ISBN-13: 978-0613717489

Editorial Reviews

This second book in the series is a funny, clever homage to classic comic-book superheroes and their loyal companions. Thirteen-year-old Guy Martin, aka Speedy, is part of the League of Big Justice and serves as sidekick to Pumpkin Pete the has all the powers of a pumpkin). Guy and his fellow sidekicks (who include Spelling Beatrice and Boy-in-the-Plastic-Bubble Boy) are happily learning all about being superheroes from their mentors when Dr. Robot, "a four-foot madman bent on squishing everything taller than he was," comes to town with a giant robot. Speedy then valiantly tries to find a way to stop the evil scientist. This is a hilarious spoof on the superhero genre with all of the classic elements exaggerated perfectly-the odd superpowers of the heroes and the sidekicks, the nefarious and goofy plot of the supervillain and his maniacal rantings, and the cluelessness of the general public. Small illustrations head off each of the chapters and capture the cartoon quality of the characters. There is enough action, adventure, and humor to attract fans of comic books as well as reluctant readers.-Lynda S. Poling, Long Beach Public Library, CA Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Sidekicks

by Dan Danko (Author), Tom Mason (Author), Barry Gott (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 9-12 Paperback: 97 pages Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers (September 1, 2003) ISBN-10: 0316168440 ISBN-13: 978-0316168441

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Guy Martin, 13, has all the usual middle school worries-homework hassles, popularity problems, and an unrequited passion for the most beautiful girl in school. However, he also has some very unusual complications. As "Speedy," the world's fastest boy, he is part of a secret crew of apprentice superheroes. With its super sponsors from the League of Big Justice, the Sidekick Club helps defend the world against evil. Guy, unfortunately, is assigned to less-than-super Pumpkin Pete ("I have all the powers of a pumpkin!") and his sidekick duties usually involve a lot of clean-up work. But when the super villains of the Brotherhood of Rottenness take out the Big Justice headquarters-and apparently the entire League as well-it is up to the sidekicks to save the day. Comic-book and superhero traditions come in for some broad but good-natured ribbing. Adult good guys speak in exaggerated, mock-heroic tones while villains cackle maniacally and threaten mayhem at every step. The Boy and Girl Wonders bicker among themselves in typical teenage fashion and often show scant respect for the senior factions-good and evil alike. Adults may be put off by some of the adolescent humor, such as the outlaw Le Poop and his bodily stench arsenal, but, like the off-the-wall chapter titles and cartoon illustrations, it's all part of the joke.  Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

It Came from Outer Space (Science Solves It!)

by Henry Barker

Henry Barker (Author)

› Visit Amazon's Henry Barker Page

Find all the books, read about the author, and more.

See search results for this author

Are you an author? Learn about Author Central

(Author), Barry Gott (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 4-8 Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Kane Press; illustrated edition edition (March 2003)

ISBN-10: 157565122X ISBN-13: 978-1575651224

 During a sleepover three friends see a bright object shooting through the sky and, the next morning, venture into the woods to discover what it is.

 

It Must Be Halloween {Prismatic Sticker Books)

by Dandi Daley Mackall (Author), Barry Gott Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 4-8 Paperback: 16 pages

Publisher: Little Simon; Original edition (September 1, 2003)

ISBN-10: 0689850247 ISBN-13: 978-0689850240     

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Did you know that monsters dress up for Halloween, too? When you see monsters roll by on roller skates and kids and monsters trick-or-treating--you know it must be Halloween. Comes complete with more than 30 reusable prismatic foil stickers to place in the book or anywhere—if you dare!

The Rainbow Mystery (Science Solves It!)

by Jennifer Dussling

Jennifer Dussling (Author)

› Visit Amazon's Jennifer Dussling Page

Find all the books, read about the author, and more.

See search results for this author

Are you an author? Learn about Author Central

(Author), Barry Gott (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 4-8  Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Kane Press (August 2002)

ISBN-10: 157565119X ISBN-13: 978-1575651194

When rainbows mysteriously appear on the wall, Annie and Mike try to find out where they come from.

                                  Hey Irma! This is Halloween

by Harriet Ziefert

Harriet Ziefert (Author)

› Visit Amazon's Harriet Ziefert Page

Find all the books, read about the author, and more.

See search results for this author

Are you an author? Learn about Author Central

(Author), Barry Gott (Illustrator),
Reading level: Ages 4-8 Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Blue Apple; (September 2003)

ISBN-10: 1593540221 ISBN-13: 978-1593540227

Meet Hank and his dog, Irma. Irma is no ordinary dog. She thinks she's a real person. And so, on Halloween it seems only fair that Irma gets to dress up, too. As Hank gets ready to go trick-or-treating, Irma is not happy about being left out of the festivities...and she makes her feelings oh-so-clear. It seems Irma needs a costume, too...and a trick-or-treat bag as well. In big, expressive, comic illustrations, and text clearly rendered within speech balloons to draw reluctant readers into the action, Harriet Ziefert and Barry Gott introduce beginning readers to Hank and his puppy pal, Irma, in this first book in the "Hey Irma!" series.

The Terror of the Pink Dodo Ballons

by Lawrence David, Barry Gott (Illustrator) Pub. Date: February 2003 Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group Hardcover, 128pp Age Range: 8 to 12 
ISBN-13: 9780525468677 ISBN: 0525468676

Blootinville's tiny ten-year-old tower of justice, Horace Splattly (aka the Cupcaked Crusader), is back and into some hairy trouble. The annual Celernip Festival is coming up, and someone has made most of the town as bald as celernips, Blootinville's world-famous vegetable. The Cupcaked Crusader must solve the mystery, but first he needs his special superpower-inducing cupcakes, and the only way he's going to get them is if he lets the creator, his genius little sister, enter him in the Celernip Prince contest. Will she make him wear a kilt? Will his twin best friends and fellow contestants, Auggie and Xax, speak to him again if he wins.

 

Horace Splattly: The Cupcaked Crusader

by Lawrence David

Lawrence David (Author)

› Visit Amazon's Lawrence David Page

Find all the books, read about the author, and more.

See search results for this author

Are you an author? Learn about Author Central

(Author), Barry Gott (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 9-12 Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Puffin (April 2002)

ISBN-10: 0142300217 ISBN-13:9780142500019

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Horace, who measures 30 inches tall, is the shortest 10-year-old in the town of Blootinville. When his taller, smarter, younger sister makes him eat her experimental cupcakes and wear a purple costume, he becomes a superhero. After flying around town and visiting friends, he decides to go after the man-eating giant guinea pig that has been cruising the school playground. Humorous illustrations add to the lighthearted tone of the story. This fantasy chapter book is reminiscent of Dav Pilkey's "Captain Underpants" series (Scholastic), and reluctant readers will love the quick pace and silly characters. Christina F. Renaud, Attleboro Public Library, MA Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

 

Be Brown

by Barbara Bottner (author) Barry Gott (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 4-8   

Hardcover: 32 pages Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap (February 18, 2002)

ISBN-10: 0399237755 ISBN-13: 978-0399237751

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Bottner (Two Messy Friends) and Gott (Patches Lost and Found) treat readers to a simple, effective tale of a boy beleaguered by a disobedient dog. The poker-face text, made up of one- and two-word commands, inspires hilarious animated illustrations of the pup doing the opposite. "Sit!" shouts the boy in the opening spread. Instead, the perky pooch who's as big as the boy jumps up to lick him on the face. "Drop it!" the boy says as the dog feasts on a sneaker. Fueled by frustration ("Be careful! Be quiet!"), the boy finally comes up with a command his pet can conquer: "Be brown!" In the end, the two embrace as the boy finally comes to accept the distinctive character of his canine companion. All ages. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Tria and the Great Star Rescue

by Rebecca Rector (Author) Barry Gott (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 9-12 Paperback: 192 pages Publisher: Yearling (June 10, 2003)

 ISBN-10: 0440418240 ISBN-13: 978-0440418245

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Tria doesn't like the Outside. Chiron is a civilized planet, but as far as she's concerned, it's dirty, crowded, and dangerous. She prefers to stay safe in her home pod, studying with her robot tutor. Her mother, an off-planet archaeologist, is often away for weeks at a time, but Tria always has her holographic companion, Star, for company. Then her mother sends an emergency message telling Tria to leave the pod immediately and enroll in the Back to Basics School, an institution that rejects technology. Star must be "turned off" and her program disk carefully hidden. At the school, Tria discovers that her mother has been kidnapped by criminals who are searching for a machine she discovered on her last dig-one that can make holograms solid. With the somewhat unwilling assistance of two misfit fellow students, Tria must locate the hidden artifact, rescue her mother, and prevent the device from falling into evil hands. Tria is a delightful, multifaceted character. Her unusual technological expertise is useful in the rescue attempt, while her occasional mechanical mix-ups add a touch of humor to the plot. Her two school teammates each discover individual talents and all three learn to work together to accomplish their mission. Science fiction fans will appreciate this fast-moving, action-filled story with its strong theme of friendship and courage. Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

 

Patches Lost and Found

by Steven Kroll, Barry Gott (Illustrator) Pub. Date: April 2005 Publisher: San Val Format: Library Binding, 32pp

ISBN-13: 9781417684540 ISBN: 1417684542

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

A masterful blend of text and illustration. Kroll has fashioned a suspenseful, kid-friendly picture book that works on several levels. On the same day that Jenny's pet guinea pig disappears, her class is assigned a writing project. Although she loves to draw, she has trouble composing stories and is anxious about the assignment. First, Jenny puts her artistic talents to work making "missing" posters to put up all over town. She is so distraught over the loss of Patches that she imagines that terrible things have befallen him, including being kidnapped by a masked thief and smuggled onto a train. She translates all of her anxiety into drawings that show the worst of her fears. All ends well when a neighbor returns her beloved pet and Jenny constructs a narrative to accompany the pictures she has drawn. Gott's digitally generated cartoons are perfect for the story.-Barbara Buckley, Rockville Centre Public Library,  NY Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Presentations

 

A visit usually includes four or five 50-minute programs. I use digital projectors in darkened rooms when they're made available to me, otherwise I can break out the overhead transparencies and big pads of paper for smaller groups. Providing a digital projector also offers the chance for me to create a piece of digital art during the visit!.

Programs include an entertaining slide show about my life and work, an interactive demo of the stages of creating a book from manuscript to finished art, word games and creative drawing, and reading one of my books.  Time permitting, we can do a Q & A or book signing.

Professional Fee:

Within 2 hours of Cleveland, fees are $800 plus mileage. For locations further away, fees are $1200 plus travel and hotel expenses. (Hotel expenses may be waived within an hour of Cincinnati.)
For more details, contact me at www.barrygott.com

Contact

Barry Gott Illustration

4421 Prasse Rd.

South Euclid, OH 44121-3636

Phone: 216-291-5957

Fax: 216-291-5932

Email: bgott@sbcglobal.net

Website: www.barrygott.com