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DEEDERHOTH
MEAT PURVEYOR, WORLD SAVIOR
Sometimes you have to go off-planet to discover where you belong.
IPPY SIlver Medal and Mom's Choice Award winner!
Sometimes you have to go off-planet to discover where you belong.
A NOVEL BY ERIC LASTER
IPPY SIlver Medal and Mom's Choice Award winner!
In the tradition of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
comes Welfy Q. Deederhoth: Meat Purveyor, World Savior, a heartwarming story of friendship, adventure, and luncheon meats.
Orphan, product of the foster care system, Welfy is a homeless runaway struggling to survive, uncertainly navigating the streets of New York City with his only friend Harlan Mills. Soon after he finds work at Gramercy Deli, he stumbles into an alternate universe where he’s believed to be “The One in a dirty apron” prophesied to lead the Brundeedle race out of Woe Time. Understandably, Welfy has his doubts.
“Reach into your apron pocket!” urges Princess Nnnn of the Brundeedles, as Ceparids—a violent species bent on Brundeedle destruction—surround them. More than a little perplexed, Welfy swivels, rears, miraculously avoids getting killed by Ceparid missiles as he fumbles in his apron’s front pocket, and pulls out—a slice of baloney.
Can a homeless teen from New York City, armed mostly with deli foods, save an alien race from extinction? The answer is not what you might think.
For ages 9 and up.
• 2015 IPPY Silver Medal winner
• Mom’s Choice Award™-winner, September 2014
• Write Kids’ Books! blog: Best of the Indie Children’s Covers 2014
Every page is essential….if you’re an adult looking for a short and meaningful read, pick up Welfy Q. Deederhoth. Looking for a kid’s book? It’s perfect.
Exactly my favorite kind of story: misfit kid finds his place in the world. It’s a little Hitchhiker’s Guide, a little Star Wars, a little Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians….it’s also completely its own story….I LOVED this book.
Kids, keepers of kids, and readers, rejoice! This book grabbed me from the moment I started—what’s not to love about a story in which a kid with a rough past, a goofy name and a magic apron finds a purpose in this universe and another, wielding salamis and ray guns in equal measure?
Well written, exciting, funny…Remarkably perceptive and even, dare I say it, tender.
A fantastic find…Laster is deft at weaving Welfy’s complicated—and all too common—past into his science fiction future.
A terrific writer with a very funny, unique voice. I think you’re going to love Welfy Q. It’s awesome!
So much more than a boy book. Plenty of adventures and action, and so much ‘meat’ to the story…Takes you into the thoughts of a boy who has never had a place to belong until now.
Dazzling! A triumph! Quite simply, the best book about people and luncheon meats that I have ever read!
You’ll never look at your local sandwich-maker the same way again.
View More
WELFY cover earns best cover accolade
Eric Laster, Welfy win Mom’s Choice Award!
Brundeedle language is code!
Westpark Elementary welcomes Welfy!
Fun with Words No. 1
Illustrator extraordinaire celebrates birthday
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ERIC LASTER
AUTHOR
MAX GRAENITZ
ILLUSTRATOR
Originally from the Bavarian Alps, Max sold his beloved yodeling gear to fund a move to Los Angeles, where he has worked on animation for Disney, Dreamworks, Fox, Amblination, Jersey Films, and many other companies.
He’s the creative director at Pickle House, which is neither a house made of pickles nor a house in which pickles are pickled, but rather, a boutique agency specializing in animation.
Married, with two children, he enjoys gulping tea and taking long skateboard rides in the park—often at the same time!
While I hope readers find Welfy Q. Deederhoth—Meat Purveyor, World Savior entertaining, the funny parts of this book aren’t meant to make light of the issues faced by homeless youth and runaways—issues I wish were fiction but which unfortunately are not. Nor are they entertaining.
The internet and your local library are both great places to learn about what you can do to help people in need, or to support someone you may know who’s in a challenging situation.
The organizations listed below are just a handful of those that serve homeless or otherwise vulnerable youth and families. Feel free to suggest additions to this list by scrolling down to the Welfy Contact page. People of all ages—not just adults—have the power to help others. Thanks for caring. —Eric Laster
Covenant House
Helps homeless or otherwise troubled youths in Los Angeles and Oakland, California transition to self-sufficient adulthood. Covenant House is big on education—an excellent thing, since knowledge helps you make informed decisions about, oh, pretty much everything.
National Runaway Safeline
A free 24-hour crisis center with experienced team members on standby. Call, post online, send an email, or chat—all anonymously—if you or someone you know is a runaway or considering running from home.
You Gotta Believe
Welfy doesn't usually like it when people tell him he's "gotta" do anything, but in this case, he's okay with it. Because these folks want us to believe that every child deserves a loving, supportive family! You Gotta Believe facilitates adoptions for youths in Long Island and New York City about to age out of foster system.
Use this form to say hello, ask a question, request an interview, or inquire about Eric Laster appearing at your school, library or bookstore. He looks forward to hearing from you!
