Recommended: Bill Jarcho’s wildly creative book for kids

Calling all cartoon-lovers and creative kiddos — islander Bill Jarcho has just published his first children’s book, “Rhymes and Ditties for Adventurous Kiddies” and will have a book reading and signing, at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, on the Ober Park lawn.

The reading is sponsored by Vashon Friends of the Library.

Written and drawn under Jarcho’s nom de plume, William J. Zambini, the picture book is brimming with poetry, quirky humor, and vibrant artwork — introducing young readers to a large cast of colorful creatures including the wacky, wholly made-up Turquoise Quonk.

At the end of each poem, the narrator, Mr. Zambini, suggests a creative response or asks an engaging question such as “What would you ask a talking chicken?” — turning story time into a dynamic and potentially very silly interactive experience.

For Jarcho, the book is the latest in a life of creative endeavors. He’s worked as an animator, creating videos and other content for Nickelodeon, MTV, and ABC Saturday Morning TV, to name a few. He’s directed episodes of Eddie Murphy’s animated series “The PJs” on Fox TV and created and performed giant puppets and puppet shows for Zambini Brothers.

If that’s not enough, Jarcho has won numerous awards for his independent animated shorts that have played at animation festivals throughout the world. He’s also written and performed puppet shows for thousands of kids at elementary schools, libraries, and festivals throughout the Pacific Northwest. And he’s a member of Vashon’s VALISE Gallery, where he exhibits his artworks frequently.

So why now a children’s book?

In an email, Jarcho said that publishing a kid’s book has long been his dream.

“This book has taken almost three years and lots of critiques, iterations, and rejection letters to get to this place,” he said.

But he persisted, and at his reading, will have the pleasure of holding his very own children’s book in his hands — published at last by Lisa Horvath at Engaged Learning Press, who also happens to be from Vashon but now lives in Hungary.

Horvath has developed English language teaching and learning materials for various publishers including Oxford University Press, National Geographic Learning, Pearson, Penguin, Macmillan, Compass Publishing, York Press, TESOL Press, the Egyptian Scholastic Test and ministries of education in the Republic of Uzbekistan, The Gambia, and Sierra Leone.

At Jarcho’s reading and signing for “Rhymes and Ditties for Adventurous Kiddies,” he’ll have both hardcover and softcover versions for sale. The book will be available at Vashon Bookshop, and in September, at VALISE Gallery. Also, look for the book online — it’s coming soon to merchants including Amazon, Walmart, and Paracay.com, Jarcho said.

Jarcho’s book reading is planned to take place in the sunshine of Ober Park but will be held in the Vashon Library meeting room in case of inclement weather.

Hungry? Vashon Food Bank’s “Picnics in the Park” truck will be parked outside Ober Park, offering free sandwiches and other fresh treats to all ages.

Don’t miss the fun.