Hop Along to Once Upon a Time Bookstore to Get 'Ribbit Rabbit!'

Playful, quirky, fun! That’s what children’s books created by local author Candace Ryan are. Ryan recently revealed her latest work, Ribbit Rabbit, to Montrose book haven

Her word wizardry immerses children in a picture book experience they can visit over and over again, each time delighting in a new layer of discovery tucked in each page.

In Ribbit Rabbit, two best friends (who happen to be a frog and a bunny wearing matching blue bandannas) spend their days doing everything together. The story moves forward in two-word couplets as they swim, “dip it, dap it”; battle a robot with flashlights,  “zip it, zap it”; or argue over a toy, “yip it, yap it”. Mike Lowery’s evocative illustrations bring Frog and Bunny to life on every page.

“Candace Ryan's newest gem of a picture book, Ribbit Rabbit, proves that it doesn't take a great deal of text to convey a relationship, or pitfalls with that relationship,” says Maureen Palacios, owner of Once Upon a Time.

Little did Clarke, Ryan’s young son, know that when he exclaimed “ribbit rabbit” out of the blue one morning several years ago that he would start his mom on a creative writing journey that will eventually encompass six books.   

Ryan says she’s been a writer “all her life,” but a few years ago, she realized that her particular “voice” and love of playing with language was perfect for children. A children’s writing class she took through the UCLA Extension Program was “a real renaissance” for Ryan and she credits it for helping launch her picture book writing career. Her nine year teaching career centered her in a child’s world and she’s a natural at understanding what appeals to kids. 

Language that is fun to read is her primary focus and she wraps her stories around playful language. She likes to get children thinking and hopes her images and creativity help kids experience the world in new and exciting ways.

Toys, such as the vintage robot her husband gave her for Christmas, often inspire Ryan’s writing.  That wind-up robot has a pivotal role in Ribbit Rabbit.

In her first book, Animal House, Ryan cleverly blends wildlife and common house parts creating fun words such as “refrigergator” and “snailbox.” Large, colorful Illustrations by Nathan Hale bring the animal items to life in a way that children reading the book often tell Ryan, “Let’s go there. I want a kangaroom.” Ryan knows she’s done her job when the story and characters become “real” to her readers. 

“Animal House uses clever word play coupled with outrageous drawings that demonstrate the silliness of the tale.  Our booksellers love to recommend Ryan’s books, and we wait, with open arms, her next effort.  We know it will surprise and delight us!" says Palacios. 

For more information on Ryan’s upcoming books and her traveling amusement park for "small hands and big minds," based on the Animal House-experience, visit Candace Ryan's official website.  Stayed tuned for her next book, Moo Hoo, a story about friends, owl and cow, and what happens when Roo, a kangaroo tries to hop into their friendship.

Ryan loves her red bike with its blue tires and takes long rides along the LA River breezing along with the herons and egrets. The bike reflects her creative spirit and a white plastic unicorn and two rubber blue whales proudly adorn her handlebars.  And, someday, that bike just might spin Ryan to the place she dreams of:  a Japanese Tea Garden where she will share a banana split with Dr. Seuss and Rene Magritte.