Akron Authors Creep into Spotlight

Recently, I had the good fortune of meeting the "J.J. Brothers," authors of The Adventures of Caterpillar Jones. I'll introduce you to the "J.J. Brothers" in a minute. But first, a bit about the book...

While the title sounds classically juvenile, the subject isn't. This little caterpillar is wrestling with questions of life and death, literally. The J.J. Brothers began writing the book soon after the death of their grandfather. The euphemisms adults use to explain death to children can serve to add to the child's confusion about, well...death. Explaining to a child of five or six that "Grandpa is gone," might beg the question, "Okay, when is he coming back?," explains Jon Hixson, one of the authors. Caterpillar Jones is targeted at young readers, from early elementary and up, Hixson says. Dealing with changes-big changes, like death-is a central theme to the story. For the religious reader, the book contains underlying meanings that help bring understanding and comfort when faced with the loss of a loved one. But even a superficial read, Hixson says, can be soothing. "Where did he go (when he died)? Well, he went to 'owl's world,'" Hixson says. If the reader chooses to think of that world as heaven, that's fine by the authors.

In spite of the book's serious theme, the authors' school visit assembly is pure fun. Well, fun with a message. The three brothers-guess it's time to introduce them, hmm?-are Jim Hixson, Jon Hixson, and Joe Susick. They are three of five brothers from an Akron-area family who say they have wanted to write books "since we were little."

Before they decided to write this book, however, the two Hixsons collected theatre degrees and it seems brother Joe was paying close attention. Their assembly is more performance than appearance, and judging from the rapt attention paid by the young audience, the performance is working.

In the assembly-designed to drive home the message that reading is fun when you use your imagination-the brothers read from classics (Treasure Island, A Christmas Carol) and playact for laughs. Jim goes so far as to take a pie in the face, hefted by younger brother Joe.

You can learn more about the "J.J. Brothers" and their school assembly shenanigans at http://www.caterpillarjones.com/ and (this is important!) Ohio Teachers can get a grant to pay for it--see the website for more info.

Caterpillar Cousin Appearing Soon
The brothers' second book, The Adventures of Nut E. Squirrel, is due out in September. It will feature cover art by the brothers' cousin, who oh-so-conveniently is studying at the Columbus College of Art and Design. Way to keep it all in the family!

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