Life lessons: Comic and children's book writer ... - Side Street Shop

Children’s book, comic strip and comic book creator Tony Armstrong, right, of Wenatchee reads one of his books,“Petey the Puny Shark” to youths from Holy Apostles. Armstrong reads his story at churches and Christian schools.The book offers a moral lesson of being nice to everyone, even those who are mean. (World photo/Kelly Gillin)Life lessons: Comic and children’s book writer sharesmessages of kindness, loveBy Rochelle FeilWorld staff writerPosted April 24, 2009Tony Armstrong of Wenatchee loves to share his stories. "I've drawn all my life," he says, "ever since I canremember."Armstrong's children's book, "Petey the Puny Shark," is being self-published now. He has written three otherchildren's books, but hasn't attempted to publish them yet.Kids from churches and schools around the Wenatchee Valley have already seen Armstrong's "Petey the PunyShark," thanks to Armstrong's readings.Armstrong, who attends Valley Community Church in Wenatchee, enjoys reading his story and sharing with children.A moral lesson is usually included in his books."In 'Petey and the Puny Shark,' the lesson is that if people are mean to you, show kindness back to them. ... Maybe itwill come back and they'll be nice to you," says Armstrong. "Basically, what I'm trying to say is being mean tosomeone isn't helping anything."The "Petey" book also carries the message that "God loves you as you are," says Armstrong, who has adevelopmental disability. With Christian themes of God, Jesus and the devil, Armstrong presents the books at

Christian schools, Sunday schools, sabbath schools and churches, says Cordawna House, who works withArmstrong on his writing career through Mission Vista Vocational Services in Wenatchee.Other books Armstrong has written include one about the birth of Jesus, called "The Brightest Star." Armstrong sayswriting children's books and comic books is a career goal of his, "if I can figure out more books to write."Armstrong's comic strips have earned recognition through Mission Vista's newsletter, where they frequently appear.The strip was mentioned recently in Logan Magazine, a publication for young people with disabilities.Armstrong says he took art classes while he was a student at Wenatchee High School, but learned to draw cartoonsmainly from art books and from reading lots of comic books and cartoons. Armstrong says he first thinks of a joke andwrites the cartoon around the joke.So far, Armstrong's completed comic books have been strictly for his own pleasure; it's the children's books that heloves to share. When he reads them to children, Armstrong does voices, including a falsetto for the a guardian angelangelfish.Armstrong says he is inspired by classic literature, including work by authors Charles Dickens and J.R.R. Tolkien. " 'AChristmas Carol' is my favorite story," he says, "because it's a story of redemption — finding a way to be kind topeople.""Petey the Puny Shark" is Armstrong's most successful piece so far, thanks in part to those at Mission Vista. "When Iwrote the original, I just thought I'd write it for fun," he says. "Then I decided to rewrite it and, with the help fromMission Vista, my dream is being realized."Armstrong is currently working on "Omar the Orca," a children's book about an orca whale that gets separated fromits parents. He says he was inspired by a group of orcas he saw while on a ferry from Washington to Canada.To request a reading by Armstrong, contact House at 888-1051.