Kritzerland is proud to present Bruce Kimmel’s latest book:

IRIS

In 1957 Los Angeles, seven-year-old inquisitive, curious Iris faces the summer mostly on her own. Her father’s away on business, and her mother’s always busy. Her only company most days is her favorite comic book, Betty and Veronica.
 
One afternoon, absorbed in the latest issue, Iris crosses the street. Just as an oncoming car is about to run her down, a nice English gentleman named Patterson swoops her out of the way and deposits her safely on the sidewalk.
 
Patterson’s identity will be revealed moments later, and Iris is about to have the summer of her life—one of discovery and adventure all over the city of Los Angeles, one in which she’ll blossom into the person she was always meant to be. 
 
Step back in time to a different era and experience the funny, charming, and ultimately touching exploits of Iris and her savior, Patterson.

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This is Mr. Kimmel’s twenty-ninth book in twenty-six years. He is an award-winning author, director, composer/lyricist, playwright, legendary Grammy-nominated record producer, and, at one time, a very popular actor in film and television. He is still active in most of those fields except the actor part. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Kimmel’s L.A. novels and non-fiction books are all love letters to the city that was and the city that is.

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“Bruce Kimmel, the Jean Shepherd of our time, gifts us anew with Iris, the dazzling adventures of an endearing girl. Virtually abandoned by an overwhelmed mother and absentee father, seven-year-old Iris is taken under the protective wing of Patterson, a literally heavensent guardian who gives her (and us) a guided tour around the evocative Candyland that was Hollywood (and Broadway) of the late 1950s. For some, it will be a journey to lost worlds brought vividly back to life; for others, a magical memory lane leading to a cherished realm that never looked better than now. Step aside Mary Poppins, make way Chitty Bang Bang, clear the deck Coraline: time to travel back in time, with your newest friends, in dazzling 3D across the panoramic pages of this wondrous, witty, warm-hearted journey to that place we call ... ‘Kimmeland.’”
 
  — Rupert Holmes, New York Times best-selling author. 

 
Iris is a magical ride into the wonders of late-1950s Los Angeles, told through the eyes of a precocious seven-year-old girl and her guardian angel, a droll Brit named Patterson. Bruce Kimmel writes with great affection, humor, and unexpected emotion—I ate it up faster than apple pie à la mode at Van de Kamp's.
  — Douglas J. Cohen, Drama Desk-nominated writer of Children's Letters to God and author of How to Survive a Killer Musical: Agony and Ecstasy on the Road to Broadway

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And reactions from young readers ...

“I finished reading Iris! I think the book would strongly appeal to an elementary school through likely middle school demographic. The protagonist is sweet, spunky, and entertaining, and I found her really likable. The book is very descriptive and provides appealing visuals as well as an introduction to new vocabulary (some of which I didn’t even know!). I loved the connection between Iris and Patterson - he is like the father who’s always away on business. All in all, I thought it was a great book and I enjoyed reading it.”
 
-Ava Madison Gray 15 years old
 
“This book was exquisitely written, and had me from the very first sentence. It was incredibly descriptive, as well as being a quite interesting look into the joys you can have living in Los Angeles. It was a great read, and really echoes Bruce Kimmel’s style of writing. Kimmel really captured how wonderful life can be if you seek to live it to its fullest. It was beautiful, hilarious, uplifting, and sweet.” –
 
-Kerby Lee O’Malley 13 years old
 

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All copies purchased through Kritzerland come signed by the author. Copies purchased from Kritzerland come with a fun bonus item. Ships by the end of October or before.

Iris is priced at $26.98, plus shipping.

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