Author Nick Schönfeld reads
“A Bite to Remember”
A Bite to Remember
On a warm summer night, whilst out for an evening flutter, Marvin the moth spots a grand regal lady wearing a delicious-looking red silk dress.
Determined to take a bite, he goes into hot pursuit: a fateful decision which will lead to a mouthwatering adventure, in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
This charming romp introduces children to a world that many have yet to experience: Opera! A wonderfully rich setting of theater and music; filled with troubling trombones, crashing cymbals and one overly dramatic diva.
“A Bite to Remember” is a vibrant, exciting picture book for ages 5 and up that teaches children about the merits of perseverance and not quitting when things get tough. Because if you keep doing the thing that seems too hard to do, you might just get more than you ever imagined.
Or buy it at Casperle Bookstore
or ABC Bookcenter in Amsterdam!
Mr. Patches is bored! That’s the long and short of it. Every day feels like it's a chore. Where are the adventures that he has never had?
One day, Mr. Patches makes a pact with himself. For a whole week, he will give boredom the slip! From riding out on the range on a moose, to winning first prize for “Cat with Best Hair.”
This fun-filled book, for children ages 4 and up, shows boredom in a new light: not an endless series of dull days, but rather, an infinite source of inspiration and possibilities.
Mr. Patches is Bored!
A children's book by Nick Schönfeld & Julie Arnoult
Edited by Millie Casper
What could a bored cat possibly get up to? Well, a whole lot as it turns out. See for yourself.
Or buy it at Casperle Bookstore
or ABC Bookcenter in Amsterdam!
Recommendations and Reviews
"Mr. Patches is Bored is an engaging picture book exemplifying the need for self-motivation and creative thinking. Students loved this story and were enthralled by the excitement on each page. Although the book is fiction, I loved that there were many connections to aspects of nonfiction such as the layers of dirt showing the complexity of aged soil, and the page break linked to the Japanese belief in Ma which gives the reader time to think and observe (shown by the wordless pages 18-19). Mr. Patches is bored is truly a book that shows that every day is full of endless possibilities if you choose to pursue them."
- Ijanaya Jacob-Brown, Librarian, Antwerp International School
"Mr Patches is Bored was a hit with children across our Junior School from Year 2 to Year 6 - the themes running throughout meant that all children could access the story in a way appropriate to their age and level of understanding. It is a fabulous post lockdown/home learning text to use with the children and the sessions complemented our social and emotional curriculum perfectly."
- Hannah Williams, Deputy Head Junior School, British School of Amsterdam.
"Author Nick Schonfeld visited our school to read his books and sharing his writing methods with the elementary children at AISCT. It was clear from the start that Nick has an excellent rapport with children. His readings were engaging, his books were fun, and he used technology in an effective way to display his books. We greatly enjoyed having Nick at our school and I would highly recommend he come to yours too if you have the chance!"
- Joshua Balli, Librarian, American International School Cape Town
"Mr. Patches is Bored is a wonderful book. Our K-5 students enjoyed how easy the text was to read and how the text and visuals made their reading experience pleasant and instructive. Creative-thinking and self-determination are critical skills and this book has a gratifying way of teaching that."
- Promise Manale, Librarian, American International School of Johannesburg.
"We were lucky to be able to host both Nick and Julie on a visit to our school. They were both really engaging and child friendly. The students in my school were enthralled with the well rhymed verses as with the detailed illustrations. I highly recommend their book Mr Patches is Bored. It has a few difficult vocabulary words but in rhyme and simile form it actually helps to build up the vocabulary of the students. Nick as the story teller also paused to make sure the kids understood the content as time went on and they loved discovering interesting Easter Eggs in the illustrations.”
- Kevin Miller, Primary Librarian, Berlin International School
"I love love love Mr Patches is Bored! From the vocabulary and use of academic language, to the lyrical rhythm, to the use of illustrations, the syntax structure and access to complex ideas!!!! Patches allowed me to showcase how primary educators can set up the conditions so that English Learners and diverse learners can deconstruct complex ideas to develop oral and written language development.”
Johnpaul Lapid - Senior Research Associate with English Learner and Migrant Education Services for WestEd.
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Book a school reading
There is nothing more rewarding than to read your books to children, especially at school. It's such a pleasure to be able to share our stories in a library setting, surrounded by books, fluffy pillows and comfy chairs. The children's reactions, their questions and their enthusiasm is the greatest reward and drives us to keep coming up with new stories! Also, they're a captive audience, literally. They can't walk off. :-)
If you'd like us to come and read one of our books at your school / event or online, please send an email to readings@mrpatches.cat.
We have had the pleasure of reading at the following schools:
Berlin International School, DE
British School of Amsterdam, NL
Antwerp International School, BE
American International School Cape Town, SA
Harbour International School Rotterdam, NL
Optimist International School, Hoofddorp, NL
American International School Johannesburg, SA
American International School Pretoria, SA
St.Andrew's Primary School, Blantyre, MW
International School of Ulm, DE
Wellington School, Wellington, UK
Bickleigh Primary School, Bickleigh on Exe, UK
Stepping Stones, Blantyre, MW
Mount View International Primary School, Blantyre, MW
Phoenix International Primary School, Blantyre, MW
Hillview International School, Blantyre, MW
About Nick,
Julie and Millie
Nick Schönfeld is a writer of fiction, non-fiction, and advertising. His education in international schools all over the world fuelled both his proficiency and fascination with language and voice. He has garnered numerous prizes including a Cannes Lion Award and his career and love of writing grew from his early education and from his film school education in New York and London. Nick was born in The Netherlands. He lives in Amsterdam with his partner.
Julie Arnoult has been drawing and creating lively visual worlds ever since she was a young child in Tokyo. She earned a degree in communications, and studied film and animation in Amsterdam. In addition to creating her own full-length graphic novels for adults, she collaborates with writers and editors to develop illustrated books for children.
Millie Casper is an editor and producer of illustrated children's books. Previously she was a top national salesperson for Random House in the US, where she specialised in children's literature and the education market. She's been involved with books and visual art for most of her life. She currently lives and works in Amsterdam.
We love to write and illustrate fun age appropriate children's picture books which delight, motivate, and support beginning learners & readers while enhancing the efforts of teachers, parents, and librarians to captivate children while teaching. Whether read aloud in the lap of a loving parent or in the dynamic setting of a classroom, our engaging and colorful stories are filled with word play and rhyme.
Throughout our books, a diverse set of animal characters—including a cat, a moth, an octopus, and a crocodile—tackle real-life situations children encounter on a daily basis: sleeplessness, personal identity, accepting ourselves and others, perseverance, comforting others, and, of course, discovering the benefits of boredom.”
Nick
Julie
Millie