My latest book...

[Simon Beck]

Based on the classic rock 'n' roll song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, Yakety Yak! is the story of a typical late-1950s American teenager and his parents. But there's a twist. They're yaks. They live in Yakville, a pleasant suburb, and the young yak likes nothing more than hanging out with his friends (yaks and a moose) and playing guitar in their rock 'n' roll band. Of course there is a fly in the ointment, namely Mr and Mrs Yak nagging their son to do his chores...

I have got permission from the song's publishers to use the lyrics, and I will be self-publishing the book via Lulu.com in the next week or so.

You can view all my books on line at www.twinkleshark.co.uk

Yakety Yak © 1958 Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.
Illustrations and additional dialogue © 2013 Simon Beck

[wizard509]

That's cute Simon. I liked it! It was an easy read even for me.

[gray]

Yes agree, a fun read. Love the T-bucket.

[gwpriester]

Mazel Tov Simon!

[flyboj]

Nice I really like the simplicity and colours.

[Simon Beck]

Love the T-bucket.

That was fun to draw. I called up a page of t-buckets on Google Images as a reference (I loved hot-rods when I was about 9 or 10 and growing up in Yakville - I mean La Grange, Illinois), and used my favourite elements from several cars to form the basis of the Moosemobile. The "lobster-claw" flames were my idea - I checked to make sure that they were in use by the late 1950s. The bright-blue and green Telecaster with a Bigsby belongs in reality to my elder son, Thomas, who is 14 (it is a one-of-a-kind instrument, customised to his specifications). I have "borrowed" it for a couple of my books.


From Bob's Holiday

The Wurlitzer EP-120 electric piano played by the Moose is probably the only one ever to feature in a children's picture book!

[Big Frank]

i love the book
great little touches like dave bruyak and the vespa

[Simon Beck]

Thomas's customised Telecaster, as featured in Bob's Holiday and Yakety Yak:

[Simon Beck]

It's available to order! Get your copy of Yakety Yak now!

[Ron Duke]

Simon, you're a talent and very creative and imaginative. I'd go on, but I've been accused of too much yakety yak, yak!

It's GREAT to see you post Mr. Beck!