Every year at the National Book Festival, the Library of Congress’ Center for the Book features a book from each of its affiliate Centers for the Book, representing their local literary heritage either from a state or territory of the United States. These books may represent and celebrate local culture and heritage. The 2020 National Book Festival was held during the weekend of September 25-27, and the theme was celebrating American ingenuity. The event was held entirely online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Nevada Center for the Book featured Kenneth Kit Lamug and his graphic novel, Petro and the Flea King, as our selection for the 2020 Library of Congress National Book Festival.

About the Book

From an award-winning children's book author and illustrator comes a wordless graphic novel full of whimsy, tradition, and fun for all ages, Petro and the Flea King. Petro, the lazy boy, goes on an out-of-this-world adventure as he tries to save a small town from the torments of the Flea King and his minions.

From the Author

A book that anyone can read. Petro is for those who fancy the whimsical and the impossible. The characters in Petro are from my childhood, Filipino folktales and cultural icons that come alive and have been reimagined in Petro's wonderful world. Each illustration is filled with heart and magic that I'm sure you'll enjoy.

Kenneth Kit Lamug is an author-illustrator who has created award-winning picture books and graphic novels. Growing up in the Philippines, Ken loved making up stories and drawing on scraps of paper. The grown-ups begged him stop, but he just kept doodling anyway. Now he lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he is a professional dabbler and has tried everything from beekeeping, filmmaking, 3d printing, photography, coding, and race car driving. He loves using his imagination and discovering new things. When Ken is not creating in his secret lab, he’s usually cooking, walking the dogs, or untangling cables. Ken is also the Nevada Regional Illustrator Coordinator for the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI). SCBWI is an international non-profit which helps authors and illustrators in their pursuits of traditional publishing. Ken invites you to connect with him at www.rabbleboy.com.

Ken’s other books include:
The Whole Hole Story (Versify Publishing)
Ghastly Ghosts (Albert Whitman & Company)
Hurts Like a Mother (Doubleday)
A Box Story (Rabblebox)
The Stumps of Flattop Hill (One Peace Books)
A is for Asteroids, Z is for Zombies (Andrews McMeel)