“Mr.Crumbly Dreams A Tiger” 20th Anniversary
Facing our fears for the sake of desire
Two decades ago, my friend Justin Ahrens asked me if I would like to collaborate on a book promo for O’Neill Printing. To be more specific, he asked if I had a story in my back pocket that we could use for it. I lied and said,“Yes.” I added that in fact, I had most of the illustrations complete as well.
I can say almost anything with a straight face.
I add this with not a single ounce of guile: It is one my favorite projects that I have ever worked on. It looks like a children’s book. It might be a children’s book. But if it’s a good one, it can speak to anyone. I think it just might.
Mr. Crumbly was inspired by something I read about desire. To butcher the quote, it said something about all of us mucking about with money and mere stuff when the truly wonderful things await us while we are distracted with lesser things. We are like children making mud pies in a slum because we can’t afford to be bothered with the offer of a holiday at sea. We desire too little.
Perhaps we do.
One thing I have desired is more copies of this book so I don’t have to continue buying them off the internet for too much money. So I am reprinting Mr. Crumbly with some minor changes, added background. It seems to strike a chord. I hope you enjoy it.
NOTEWORTHY: Mr. Crumbly Dreams A Tiger was awarded a Perfect 10 by HOW Magazine. Plus, it seems very well-liked by my kids’ middle school classmates. So there’s that.
Free Audiobook version of Mr. Crumbly Dreams a Tiger with Pre-Order!
20th Anniversary Edition
If you’re brave at heart, it’s worth your time.
Justin Ahrens
Wear your love for Crumbly on your body! HOW ABOUT A T-SHIRT?
Words From the Wise
JUSTIN AHRENS, Designer, Strategist, Bon Vivant
Every time I work with Terry Marks, I’m reminded what good creative collaboration actually looks like. Trust. Respect. A shared belief that the work should say something honest.
“Mr. Crumbly Dreams a Tiger” is still one of my favorite projects that I’ve ever been part of. When you trust the idea, respect the reader, and don’t overcomplicate the message, it changes how you show up to the work. He trusted me with his words and his art; that kind of trust is rare.
The story leaves room for people to find themselves in it. That’s the weight simple stories can carry when they’re told well.
Terry understands restraint. He understands when to stop. And he trusts that readers are smarter and braver than we often give them credit for.
I’m grateful for the collaboration. Grateful for the trust. And grateful for a project that still holds up years later because it speaks to something true.
If you’re brave at heart, it’s worth your time.
DOUG HOSTETTER, Dreamer and Cinematographer
As many times as I’ve put my 3 kids to bed with Mr Crumbly over the years, I’m still not sure whose dreams were most affected by this simple, yet strange man and his journey through known and unknown dimensions. With a nod to the slightly-off characters and imagery of a Dr. Seuss world, Terry Marks has created a mysterious but real tension between the safety of human comforts and untamed divine desires, where we all need our dogs and our Gods to give us the faith to move past our fears, whether they are real or imagined.
Every kid or adult with an active imagination will identify with Crumbly’s creative, self-induced doubt, anxiety and depression and be equally challenged and inspired by how easily he moves beyond his fear to the joy outside of himself.
BRYNN MOOTH, Writer, former Sr. Editor, HOW Magazine
“Mr. Crumbly Dreams a Tiger” is a delightful bedtime story for people big and small, who have both pleasant and scary dreams, and who appreciate pets and wild creatures. When Mr. Crumbly’s daily routine goes awry, his beloved dog shares a bit of life wisdom that we can all take to heart.
