A local author and artist are seeing two years of work pay off as their book was named an Eric Hoffer Book Award Finalist. The book, Baby Bumbu, written by John Koski and illustrated by Ben Toyne, was nominated for the award in the Middle Reader category. Koski considers himself lucky to have landed Toyne as the illustrator, and felt like the marriage of the writing and illustrating was vital to being named a finalist. 

Koski didn’t find himself surprised to be a finalist, but did say he was delighted. Fewer than ten percent of nominations are selected as finalists. Koski jokes that the book is written by one of his two golden retrievers, who was given the name Baby Bumbu for the story. The book follows the journey of the retriever who is brought to a circus in France from Sturgeon Bay. The book targets a pre-teen audience, and Koski believes it accomplishes one of his main goals of challenging the reader. 

Koski anticipates that the winner of the award will be announced within the coming weeks. The book is available locally and online.