*Alvin Irby, an award-winning educator, professional comedian, and the founder of the nationally recognized literacy program Barbershop Books, has released his debut children’s book, entitled Gross Greg.
This first book in the Gross Greg series revolves around a young boy’s insatiable appetite for boogers despite the protest of everyone he encounters. Tapping into the universal and hilarious gross behavior of children everywhere, the story of Gross Greg invites readers to reflect on and laugh about the joys of childhood.
This relatable, laugh-out-loud book is filled with humorous rhyming text and bright illustrations. Beautiful artwork from talented Tanzanian illustrator Kevin Ntukula brings Gross Greg to life and captures children’s imaginations.
Gross Greg is available today in hardcover and digital formats on Amazon. For more info and fun math games visit grossgreg.com.“There is a void of humorous picture books with black protagonists,” said Irby, when talking about the inspiration behind Gross Greg.
“Many of the stories that feature black characters deal with serious topics like slavery and segregation. Gross Greg creates a safe space in early childhood classrooms and in homes for children to be silly and have fun while reading a laugh-out-loud picture book. Its critical that we allow black boys to be children too. Sometimes, they just want to listen to or read a funny story.”
The release of Gross Greg is part of Irby’s lifelong mission to combat low literacy rates among African American males. According to US News, more than 85% of black males 4th graders are not proficient at reading. As Founder & Chief Reading Inspirer of Barbershop Books, Irby has sparked a national movement to put children’s books in barbershops across the United States.
This book carves out a safe space in early childhood classrooms for young boys to laugh, be silly, and have fun. Like the irresistible and riotously funny children’s books No David, Captain Underpants, and Pete the Cat, Irby’s book tickles children’s funny bones and captures their imaginations. The story’s rich vocabulary, rhythm, and rhyme take children on a hilarious adventure that they do not want to end. What we call boogers, Gross Greg calls, “delicious little sugars.”
Gross Greg Testimonials:
“The day I read Gross Greg was the first time I had seen first graders tear up from laughter. Criss cross applesauce was out the door. They were on their knees, red in the face, bellowing with laughter.
The rhyme, rhythm, and vocabulary were perfectly blended to support literacy and phonemic awareness, while still being able to listen to a read aloud for sheer pleasure!”
– Hare Qarri, first grade teacher in NYC
“I enjoyed your story because it was very silly. Can you make more books like Gross Greg eats worms and Gross Greg eats his homework? You are read to make more books. My brother eats his boogers.”
– Nathaly, a first grader in NYC
“Gross Greg is a very appetizing book that kids will love. My son can’t put it down, and he’s 23.”
– Angelo Lozada, warm-up comic for “The Daily Show”
About Alvin Irby:
Alvin Irby is a kindergarten teacher turned professional comedian and social entrepreneur. He speaks at national education conferences and performs stand up comedy at clubs and colleges across the United States. He has completed two Masters degrees, taught elementary school in New York City, and currently runs the Barbershop Books program, which creates child-friendly reading spaces in barbershops.
About Barbershop Books:
Barbershop Books is a community-based literacy program that creates child-friendly reading spaces in barbershops for boys ages 4-8. It leverages the cultural significance of barbershops in Black communities to help black boys identify as readers.
This innovative approach connects black men and families to black boys’ early reading experiences. It also improves boys’ access to culturally relevant, age appropriate, and gender responsive children’s books, while increasing the amount of time boys read for fun.
source:
Omari Evans
[email protected]
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