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The Children’s Book Review

Running of the Noses

Written by Jon-Barrett Ingels

Illustrated by Patrick Ballesteros

Ages 4-7 | 40 Pages

Publisher: Piper + Enza (2022) | ISBN-13: 9788985174304

What to Expect: Health, facing fears, friendship, inclusivity.

There are a lot of books for kids about snot, but not so many that combine humor, instruction, and great storytelling the way Running of the Noses does.

Nicco feels terrible about his runny nose, but Piper is sure she can cheer him up! She tells him about how trees talk to mushrooms to stop getting sick, tells him wild tales about other out-of-control runny noses, and even shares a story about herself as a snot-sneezing dragon. But Nicco is still worried – will he have to go to the doctor? Will he have to get a SHOT?! Piper’s not sure, but she lends him Bird—with Bird to keep him company, Nicco can be brave. As it turns out, neither doctors nor runny noses are as bad as they seem.  

Running of the Noses gently acknowledges and validates the anxiety many kids feel about being sick and visiting the doctor while still offering reassuring advice. Piper’s upbeat character and the dynamic, comic-book style illustrations are the perfect antidotes to feeling under the weather. Peppered throughout the story and offered in a Q&A at the end are facts to help readers understand what a runny nose is and how it protects their bodies.

Running of the Noses is funny, entertaining, and reassuring—and just in time for Spring allergies.

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About the Author

After finishing his education at Chapman University, Jon-Barrett Ingels moved to Los Angeles, where he developed, produced, and performed in multiple stage productions for regional theaters in and around the area. He has written and produced independent films and developed web series at the onset of the medium. He produced and hosted over 250 educational podcast episodes, including a series for the California State Library and for Chapman University. He worked as a writer for Flaunt Magazine, and his first book, How To Succeed By Failing, was published in 2015.

Jon-Barrett currently works in development, creating television and streaming series, miniseries, and feature films.

About the Illustrator

Patrick Ballesteros is an international artist and educator who specializes in creating images that bring a smile to your face. He has worked as an illustrator and character designer on a variety of fun projects for Disney TVA, Nickelodeon Press, Capstone Press, Dreamworks TV, Bravo, Amazon, and DC Comics. Along with those projects, Patrick has been invited to speak and guest lecture at international festivals and events like Comic-Con International San Diego, Sketching Lab Costa Rica, Comic-Con Colombia, and Comic-Con Panamá. His illustration work was highlighted in the film Alice in Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass and The Late Late Show with James Corden.

When he is not drawing, he is usually sketching : ) Other than that you will find him drinking boba, making his own line of toys, introducing his son to classic 1980s cartoons and movies, or secretly working on a Filipino superhero comic book.

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