Whodonut, Wordplay, and Wonder

In this episode of Pages and Play, Nanny Miss Monique and Dara sit down with children’s author Josh Funk to talk about what makes a story truly connect with kids. Josh is known for creating playful, smart books filled with humor, mystery, and sharp wordplay that keep children engaged and adults entertained during read-alouds.

The conversation explores how storytelling shapes early literacy and emotional development, why rhyme and rhythm matter in children’s writing, and how humor makes stories more memorable. Josh shares his creative process, from building fair but surprising mysteries to designing stories that naturally inspire dramatic play. He also discusses the relationship between authors and illustrators and how visual storytelling changes the way children experience a book.

Josh also talks about his most recent release, Whodonut? A Holiday Mystery, a festive, kid-friendly whodunit featuring characters from his beloved Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast series. The book blends suspense, silliness, and clever clues, inviting young readers to solve the mystery alongside the characters.

Listeners gain insight into how strong storytelling encourages imagination, curiosity, and deeper conversations between children and caregivers.

About Josh Funk

Josh Funk is the author of numerous children’s books that combine humor, wordplay, and engaging storytelling. He is best known for the Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast series, along with titles like My Pet Feet, Dear Unicorn, and the “It’s Not a Fairy Tale” series. His work consistently balances fun with strong narrative structure, making his books favorites for classrooms and home libraries alike.

Latest Book: Whodonut? A Holiday Mystery – A playful holiday whodunit featuring Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast, centered around a missing donut and a cleverly crafted mystery for young readers.

Author Website: Visit Josh at www.joshfunkbooks.com for his full book list, author bio, school visit information, and literacy resources.

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Key Takeaways

• Children connect more deeply to stories that reflect their world • Humor increases engagement for both kids and adults • Wordplay strengthens literacy and comprehension • Strong stories inspire imagination and dramatic play • Writing for kids requires clarity, rhythm, and purpose • Mysteries should feel fair while still surprising • Author and illustrator collaboration shapes the final reading experience • Read-aloud reactions reveal what truly resonates with children

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Episode Highlights

“This is the podcast where books meet real life.” “I always like to set the scene first.” “I think we could do it as like a scary-ish story.”

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Pages and Play 02:19 Guest Introduction: Josh Funk 06:21 Holiday Themes in Children’s Literature 11:14 Rhyming and Wordplay 14:04 Literacy and Humor 15:56 Creating Stories for Kids and Adults 16:38 The Role of Illustrations 20:58 Imagination and Dramatic Play 24:29 The Writing Process 30:44 Crafting Fair Mysteries 33:31 Exploring New Genres