Hop on a tow-truck ride with Toad as he learns that everyone needs help sometimes, even the helpers, in the first of a new series for fans of Frog and Toad!
Jashar Awan explores the very real question of “what happens when the helper needs help?” in his latest picture book Towed by Toad. Yes, we said a picture book recommended for preschool to two years old. By way of introduction to multiple animal friends on their way throughout the day – driving cars – Awan reminds us that getting there is not always half the fun.
“No time, Pop! Can’t stop!” Toad and his tow truck are always on the move to lend a hand to anyone who needs help. Whether it’s a flat tire or engine trouble, it’s Toad to the rescue! Pop does his best to try to get Toad to slow down and take care of himself, but there always seems to be someone else who needs to be towed by Toad. How can he say no? Toad is so used to being the problem solver that when his tow truck breaks down, he does everything he can to fix it himself — and can’t!
The idea of Towed by Toad came to Awan while discussing trucks with his son. The homonym made him laugh and that was the starting point for the story. He was sure it would be a funny animal/truck book and then suddenly it became a book about burnout and self-care.
“I know what it is like to get so caught up in taking care of someone else that you forget to take care of yourself, especially in the new parent infant/toddler days. It is easy to burn yourself out. If you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of others,” Awan said.
As a children’s book author, Awan writes for two audiences—kids and their parents. Parents read to the book so it’s important the book is fun to read aloud. The illustrator in Awan knows a colorful book cover and fun characters are equally important to capture the kids’ attention.
His fun character designs capture both the listener and the reader’s attention. The short, playful rhyming vocabulary pulls the audience into the book so skillfully they barely notice the social-emotional lesson he artfully communicates in each book.
Awan began his career as a freelance editorial illustrator. For many years, he drew illustrations for The New Yorker, The New York Times, American Medical News, San Francisco Chronicle; and Columbia Journalism Review. It wasn’t until he read Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke that he decided to tell his own stories and illustrate them as well.
He made his debut as an author/illustrator with What A Lucky Day! from Norton Young Readers. Publisher’s Weekly named him one of its Flying Starts for Fall 2020. Since then, he has authored and illustrated several children’s books including Only Ants for Andy; Every Monday Mabel; I’m Going to Build a Snowman, and his latest Towed by Toad.
Jashar Awan is new to book fairs! The Buckeye Book Fair on Nov. 2, 2024, will be his second book fair. He looks forward to meeting his readers and talking shop with other authors. Not familiar with Jashar? Tow yourself over and meet the creator of Towed by Toad and enjoy the comical illustrations, featuring an all-animal cast, with a sweet reminder for all of us to take care of ourselves.
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