Who is Mike Bender?

Well, that's a complex question so let's begin with who he is not. He's not a pharmacist, a magician, an astronaut, a chocolatier (but wishes he was), or a gymnast. He is, however, a big fan of children's books and a writer who likes to help kids understand concepts and ideas from a different perspective -- like perfect is boring, nothing is something, and the end is only just the beginning!

Mike Bender (if that's even his real name) is the author of the Junior Library Guild Selection The Book About Nothing and the coauthor of Everything Is Awkward, a picture book inspired by his #1 New York Times bestseller Awkward Family Photos. He lives with his own awkward family in Santa Barbara, california and while this is technically the end of his bio, it’s only the beginning of his next adventure. You can follow him on Instagram @michaelgbender and contact him here.

Featuring

The End Is Just The Beginning (coming April 21, 2021)

The end of one thing is just the beginning of something new in this innovative picture book!

Starting a book at the end may seem confusing. But prepare to have your mind blown, because the end isn’t really the end—it’s just the beginning of something new! We all face difficult endings—it’s an inescapable fact of life. Now, Mike Bender offers a comforting and inspiring message about new beginnings. Accompanied by Diana Mayo’s beautiful and gentle illustrations, this story is perfect for read-alouds and graduations and will make a wonderful gift for all ages.

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The Book About Nothing (Ages 3-7)

From AFP Co-Founder Mike Bender comes an innovative and wildly funny read-aloud children's book that has nothing to with rainbows, rocket ships, meatballs, or wizards. Instead, it's full of zip, zilch, diddly-squat, and bupkus. But don't worry, reading this book isn't all for nothing, because sometimes nothing is actually something.

"Fans of B.J. Novak's the book with no pictures will be glad to see another inspired breaking of the fourth wall." --School Library Journal

"Nothing Really is Something."--Booklist

"Here's a book that takes nothing seriously"--kirkus reviews

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Everything Is Awkward Children’s Book (Ages 4-8)

The New York Times Bestselling authors of the Awkward Family Photos franchise shine a light on childhood in this book that will have parents and kids cracking up.

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