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Author Matthew Lasley is a children's book author living and teaching elementary school in Anchorage, Alaska, his family mined for gold in Alaska and in the Klondike; his debut book Pedro's Pan sold over 3k sold in HC and is set to release in PB on the same day as Max and Ed Bike to Nome.
Illustrator Jacob Souva previously collaborated with Matthew Lasley on Pedro's Pan and recently released his debut as an author-illustrator, Little Bee's Flower.
Max and Ed Bike to Nome is based on the true story of Ed Jesson, a gold rush pioneer who biked more than 1000 miles across Alaska, from Dawson City to Nome in 1900, to beat the rush of miners; this picture book is told from the perspective of Ed's bicycle, Max, as they trek across the snowy landscape.
This book will have strong regional appeal in the Alaska tourist market (nearly $2.2b spent annually) and in the educational/library market; specialty markets include cycling enthusiasts and Gold Rush/historical interest.
Backmatter includes information about the real Ed Jesson, a map of his route, and some details about traveling across Alaska.
Will cross-promote with other Alaska titles releasing in the same season/recently released: All Aboard the Alaska Train, Where Giants Roamed, Alaska is for the Birds, The Littlest Airplane.
Book guide TK
Leveling TK
About the author
Matthew
Lasley is a children's book author and elementary school
teacher. His book Pedro's Pan was named by NYPL as one of
the ?Best Books for Kids 2019? in nonfiction history. The son of a gold miner
in Alaska and the Klondike, Matthew has spent many hours hunched over a gold
pan and enjoys bicycling. He lives in Anchorage, Alaska.
Summary
Trek across a
thousand miles in an Alaskan winter in this heartwarming picture book, inspired
by the true story of Ed Jesson’s famous bike ride during the Klondike Gold Rush
in 1900.
A lonely bicycle sits in
a shop while the roads are packed with wagons and sleds. Everyone is in a rush
to reach Nome and dig for gold, but Ed has an idea to beat the crowd: he would
travel there faster… by bicycle! The trip is over a thousand miles and the
trail is perilous. Will Ed and his bike make it?
An incredible true story
of perseverance and deep determination, Max and Ed Bike to
Nome captures the thrilling journey of one man and his bicycle as
they discover hope and friendship along the way. Also included at the back is information about the real Ed Jesson plus a map of his bicycle route, as well as more details about the gold rush in Nome, Alaska.
Foreword
AWARDS: submit widely for children’s book awards, PNBA/AK awards
ADVERTISING: socials ads/AMS ads; Todd Communications/AK advertising
EVENTS: author will do local bookstore/library/school visits in AK
REVIEWS: byline, review, Q&A/interview outreach to children’s book media, including blogs, podcasts, bookstagrammers, parenting/family media, national trade media, and regional AK media
ONLINE: full social media campaign utilizing illustrations from the book; book trailer
PROMOTION: DRC via Edelweiss and hard copy ARC available; outreach via author and illustrator’s websites/socials/newsletters; giveaways via Goodreads, LibraryThing
TRADESHOWS: giveaways/features at ALA, PNBA
