Hello friends! You may be wondering why this website has not been updated lately. Well, the author has been busy working on many other projects, and doing some school visits. But don't worry, the Sticky Burr web comic will return with NEW episodes this year! We are also working on a brand new website.
In the meantime, we hope you are all having a good year. Here is a page from Sticky Burr's journal about what the burrs do in the winter. Enjoy!
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December 26, 2011
It's been a busy year in Burrwood Forest. The Sticky Burr webcomic featured a wintry tale of a blizzard and a lost snow moth. (If you didn't get to read the snowy adventure, you can read it here.) The webcomic has been on a little break for the past few weeks, but new adventures are coming soon!
Here is a new animation to celebrate the coming of winter to Burrwood Forest. Hope you enjoy it!
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October 13, 2011
The book Sticky Burr: Adventures in Burrwood Forest was just included in the American Library Association's core collection of graphic novels. Thank you to all the teachers, librarians and fans who have followed Sticky Burr's adventures throughout the year. Both Sticky Burr books are available at Amazon, IndieBound, Powells and fine bookstores everywhere. And don't forget to follow the Sticky Burr webcomic on this website!
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May 16, 2011
Hi everyone! I have been too busy to update this page lately, but I hope you have been following the Sticky Burr web comic each week. Also if you have not seen the Sticky Burr Calendar, you can download a copy to print and color. I also updated my Ask the Author page with more answers to your questions.
Also this weekend I will be doing a book event. I will be appearing at the Elephant's Trunk bookstore, 1764 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA, Saturday May 21 at 1:00 PM. I will be reading some of my books, talking about my work, and drawing pictures. If you live in the area, stop by and say hi!
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December 22, 2010
Winter has arrived in Burrwood Forest, and it's the end of the year already. Where did the time go? Click here for a special holiday greeting from Sticky Burr, and also a special free gift to print and color!
As I could not attend the award ceremony in October, I created a short video to show my thanks, which was shown at the OASL conference. In the video, I talk a little about my books and also meet some characters from Burrwood Forest. Watch the video here.
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October 29, 2010
Happy Halloween from Burrwood Forest!
All the most prickly characters from the second Sticky Burr book have gathered together for some Halloween mischief. Most of them live in Spooky Glen, the darkest part of the forest. Burweena lives in a hollow tree with her pet spiders, and sometimes Scurvy Burr and Spiny Burr come to seek her advice. The stag beetles Benjamin and Barnaby help in her nasty deeds, along with the other spiders.
You can learn more about them in the Sticky Burr web comic or the book Sticky Burr: The Prickly Peril, an adventure story that takes place in the autumn. In the book, Sticky Burr observes the migrating butterflies and hibernating ants as he helps save the burr village from the wicked Burweena and her followers.
Enjoy your own autumn adventures this season!
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Autumn is here in Burrwood Forest! October 20, 2010
Autumn is here, a great time to find burrs in the forest or your backyard. The book Sticky Burr: The Prickly Peril takes place in the fall, and features a trip to the darkest part of Burrwood Forest, Spooky Glen. This is where Burweena lives, the most prickly burr of all. She is even worse than Scurvy Burr! Together they hatch a plot to take over the burr village and get rid of Sticky Burr, but it doesn't turn out the way they planned.
Here is a new maze you can download and print, featuring some of the characters in the book. Have fun!
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Summer in Burrwood Forest! August 12, 2010
Summer is here, a busy time in Burrwood Forest. See what the burrs have been up to in Sticky Burr's journal entry for August. As for the author, I've been busy too. This spring, I was honored that my book Sticky Burr: The Prickly Peril was nominated for a Massachusetts Book Award, and put on the "Must Read" list of children's books. (You can download the full list here.)
The Sticky Burr web comic has been going strong all summer. If you haven't seen it lately, you can read it here.
Many people ask me if there will be a third book about Sticky Burr. I haven't written one yet, but I would like to. If you would like more books about Sticky Burr, let me know. Send me an email or mail a letter to Candlewick Press, 99 Dover Street, Somerville, MA 02144. The more encouragement I get, the faster I will get writing! :-)
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A busy year in Burrwood Forest! March 28, 2010
It's been a busy year, and I haven't had time to update this website lately. I was very happy that the first Sticky Burr book was nominated for Oregon's Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award. Results will announced sometime in April, but no matter what the outcome, I would like to say THANK YOU to all the children in Oregon who read my book. Oregon has a lot of great forests and I think Sticky Burr would love to visit there someday. Look for him the next time you take a walk!
Thanks to everyone who has sent comments and emails to this website, it's great to have such wonderful feedback about my books and comics. I will try to answer your questions on my question page. I've also been busy writing the Sticky Burr web comic, which continues each week.
Happy Spring everyone!
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New characters added to the website! December 12, 2009
In response to popular demand, I have added some new characters to this website. The four new characters are from the web comic and the second book, and you can read all about them. You can see the characters here (the new ones are at the bottom.)
I have also been updating the Sticky Burr web comic almost every week, if you haven't seen it lately. And the second Sticky Burr book has had a great reception from old and young readers alike. It's available in fine bookstores everywhere, in paperback or deluxe hardcover (which includes the map of Burrwood Forest from the first book.)
Also you might be interested in my other new picture book called The Clever Stick, which is about an ordinary stick with extraordinary talents. You can read more about it here.
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New Sticky Burr book is here! September 15, 2009
The wait is over! Sticky Burr #2: The Prickly Peril is now on sale at fine bookstores everywhere. Ask for it at your local bookstore, or find it at an independent bookseller.
There will be a book launch party at the Blue Bunny bookstore in Dedham, MA on Saturday Sept. 26th, 10:30-12:30. Special guests include the author's sister Amy, a local children's singer, and brother Tony, who helped write the Sticky Burr theme song. You can also buy John's other new book called The Clever Stick, which came out this summer. Click here for more information about the Blue Bunny. Hope to see you there!
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New book coming this fall! May 12, 2009
Here is a look at the cover of the next Sticky Burr book. The book is called Sticky Burr: the Prickly Peril. The book will not be in stores until September.
In the book, Scurvy and Spiny try to get rid of Sticky Burr once and for all, with the help of Burweena, the wicked burr who lives in Spooky Glen. But Burweena has some plans of her own, and it is up to Sticky, Mossy and Draffle to save the day.
I will be revealing more samples and clues about the book this summer, so stay tuned to this website! And if you are hungry for more Sticky Burr adventures, you can always read the online comic strip, which is updated (almost) every week!
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Sneak Peek at the next book February 10, 2009
The next Sticky Burr book won't be out until September, but I will be showing some glimpses of the artwork over the next few months. This is an actual painting from the book (without the words), a scene where Scurvy Burr and Spiny Burr are venturing into Spooky Glen. Stay tuned for more artwork!
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New Website Feature! December 3, 2008
I just added a new section to this website called Ask The Author, where you can read the answers to all the questions the people write in. If you sent in a question recently, it might be there. If not, you can ask it again using the form on the page.
And of course, don't forget to check out the latest page of the Sticky Burr Webcomic -- the adventure contiunes each week!
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Questions, Answers, and a Special Announcement November 16, 2008
I get many questions from children, but the most frequent one goes along the lines of, "Are there more Sticky Burr books" or "When are you going to make more books" or "PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE write another sticky burr book!" Well I am happy to announce that there will be a second book about Sticky Burr, coming out in 2009. I have been working very hard to make it even more exciting than the first one. Stay tuned to this website for details!
I also get many other questions, and though I cannot write back to each person, I will try to answer them on this website. For instance, Lexie wrote in: "Can you give me some tips about drawing and writing? I have a sketchbook full of ideas. I wrote some comics. One day I want to be a cartoonist myself." Yes, I can give you some tips. For one thing, try to draw as much as you can. It is great that you have a sketchbook full of ideas, so do I. You should also try drawing things from real life, things that you see around you – people, toys, places, pets. This will help you draw better.
I will soon have a page on this website to answer questions, so come back later to read about where I get my ideas, how I draw the pictures, and what's the name of that burr who plays the drum!
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Web Comic back in action September 20, 2008
After a short vacation, the Sticky Burr web comic is back with a new chapter, you can read it here. Now that fall has arrived, it's a good time to spot real burrs in the wild. But whatever you do, don't put them in your hair -- they get really stuck and hard go to get out!
I had a great visit last month to the Thomas Memorial Library, in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Visit my other website to see a photo gallery of the event.
I will be adding a new page to the website soon with answers to questions that people send in. So if you have any questions about me or my books, just send me an email.
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Burrs and Toads June 8, 2008
I have recently added more pages to the Sticky Burr web comic. Scurvy Burr is looking to play a nasty trick on our poor hero, not knowing that Sticky Burr is already in danger from a swarm of locusts. You can read the entire story from the beginning, and watch for future chapters this summer!
Spring is a great time of year to start seeing wildlife, even if you don't live near the woods. Often you can see small animals and insects right in your neighborhood, but you have to look carefully. The other day I took a picture of a toad - he was very well hidden!
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Spring, Spring, Spring! May 7, 2008
Have you ever noticed that no two trees are alike? This isn’t always apparent in the summer, when leafy trees blend together into a giant mass of green, but it is very noticeable in the winter, and even more so in the spring.
Springtime is that happy midway point when the new buds are just sprouting into leaf, and you can see both the twisting branches and the clumps of color that decorate them. Different trees sprout their leaves at different times, in different ways, and there are even flowering trees. The changes in the spring happen so fast, you can practically watch them unfold before your eyes. And coming on the heels of a long barren winter, it's even more wonderous to see them spring to life.
So the next time you walk down the street, stop to notice the nearest tree – any tree really, for each has its own unique qualities. You may be surprised at what you see.
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New Website Fun March 9, 2008
I have just updated the Characters page on this website, to include more characters from Burrwood Forest. Some of them are from the book, others are from the ongoing web comic, which also has a new page this week.
Burrwood Forest is a big place, filled with insects and animals. It is pretty quiet during the winter, but things start to perk up in March, as the first signs of spring arrive. The burrs have a contest each year to see who can spot the first wild flower of spring. They run all over the forest looking, and when the first burr spots a flower, she or he calls out "Spring! Spring! A sign of Spring!" Then they all come running to see it.
In the meantime, don't forget to read the latest page in the Sticky Burr comic!
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Coming Soon in Paperback! Feb. 16, 2008
I am pleased to announce the upcoming paperback edition of Sticky Burr: Adventures in Burrwood Forest, published by Candlewick Press. The book will be available in April, and is virtually the same as the hardcover, except the cover is not so hard. Watch for it this spring!
Meanwhile, if you are itching for more Sticky Burr adventure, the story continues in the online comic strip, with a new chapter (almost) every week. This new adventure features Mossy Burr as she encounters a dangerous swarm of locusts. Be sure to check it out!
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New Fun and Games on the Web! Dec. 2, 2007
There are a few new things just added to this website, in the Fun Stuff section. There is a new printable activity sheet called Design Your Own Burr, and also an art gallery of burrs drawn by kids, to help inspire your own creation. Sticky Burr himself is an artist, and drawing is a great way to spend a chilly winter's evening.
Many kids have asked me if there is another Sticky Burr book coming out, and the answer is "not this year." But I currently working on ideas for a new story, so keep your fingers crossed. In the meantime, you can read the continuing adventures of our prickly hero in the Sticky Burr online comic strip, which is updated about once every week. Happy reading!
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Autumn is Burr Season! Oct. 6, 2007
Autumn is a great time to see REAL burrs, growing on bushes and trees. They probably won't talk to you (only the burrs in Burrwood Forest can talk) but they will try and stick to you if you're not careful. Burrs are actually seeds from certain kinds of bushes, and they grow into new plants when they fall off. Here is a picture of a clump of burrs that I found in my backyard.
Many other plants have prickly seeds too. The picture below may look like a burr family reunion, but actually they are chestnuts, just fallen from a tree. Some kinds of chestnuts have a really prickly outside, so sharp that you can hardly pick them up. (The nut is inside.) Keep a lookout for other prickly seeds as you walk around this fall.
Fall Into Autumn Sept. 21, 2007
I've been busy lately, working on several new projects. I'm still continuing the Sticky Burr comic strip, which follows the further adventures of Sticky Burr and his pals. In the latest episode, a new burr is introduced, even more evil and prickly than Scurvy Burr. Check out all the action here.
Meanwhile, I've updated the book page on this website, with the latest reviews. That's all for now -- I've got to get busy writing. Busy busy busy!
The book Sticky Burr: Adventures in Burrwood Forest was just included in the American Library Association's 
Autumn is here, a great time to find burrs in the forest or your backyard. The book 
In response to popular demand, I have added some new 
Have you ever noticed that no two trees are alike? This isn’t always apparent in the summer, when leafy trees blend together into a giant mass of green, but it is very noticeable in the winter, and even more so in the spring. 
There are a few new things just added to this website, in the 
Autumn is a great time to see REAL burrs, growing on bushes and trees. They probably won't talk to you (only the burrs in Burrwood Forest can talk) but they will try and stick to you if you're not careful. Burrs are actually seeds from certain kinds of bushes, and they grow into new plants when they fall off. Here is a picture of a clump of burrs that I found in my backyard. 
