Fontes, Ron 1952-

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Fontes, Ron 1952-

Personal

Born July 19, 1952, in Los Angeles, CA; son of Ruben Paul (a master sergeant, then mail carrier) and Pauline (a department store clerk) Fontes; married Marie Elena Taft, August 6, 1976 (marriage ended 1981); married Justine Korman (a writer), November 21, 1998. Education: Austin Peay State University, B.S. (theatre/art double major), 1978. Hobbies and other interests: Photography, film-making.

Addresses

Home and office—70 Walker Rd., Readfield, ME 04355. E-mail—[email protected].

Career

Illustrator and designer. Creative Corp., Clarksville, TN, designer, 1971-73; Art Factory, Nashville, TN, 1977-78; McDonald and Associates Advertising, Nashville, designer, 1978-80; Western Publishing, designer and staff artist for Whitman Comics line, 1980-81; Marvel Comics, New York, NY, production supervisor of special projects, 1981-85; freelance illustrator and pasteup artist. Sonic Publishing, Readfield, ME, cofounder with wife, Justine Fontes, 2004. Speaker at conventions, including DragonCon, 2008.

Writings

FICTION

(With wife, Justine Korman) My Friend Fang, illustrated by Kathy Wilburn, Bantam Books (New York, NY), 1992.

(Adaptor with Justine Korman) Poky Puppy's First Christmas, Golden Books (New York, NY), 1993.

(Adaptor with Justine Korman) The Teapot's Tale, Golden Books (New York, NY), 1993.

(With Justine Korman) The Ghost Who Couldn't Boo, illustrated by Ellen Blonder, Random House (New York, NY), 1994.

(With Justine Korman) The Grumpy Easter Bunny, Troll Communications, 1995.

(With Justine Korman Fontes) How the Leopard Got Its Spots: Three Tales from around the World, illustrated by Keiko Motoyama, Golden Books (New York, NY), 1999.

(With Justine Fontes) How the Turtle Got Its Shell, illustrated by Keiko Motoyama, Golden Books (New York, NY), 2000.

(With Justine Fontes) How the Camel Got It's Hump, illustrated by Keiko Motoyama, Golden Books (New York, NY), 2001.

(Adaptor with Justine Fontes) The Great Pumpkin Strikes Again! (based on the cartoon by Charles M. Schulz), Little Simon (New York, NY), 2004.

(Adaptor with Justine Fontes) Lucy Must Be Traded (based on the television special), Little Simon (New York, NY), 2004.

"DISNEY'S AMERICAN FRONTIER" SERIES; FICTION; WITH JUSTINE KORMAN

Davy Crockett at the Alamo, illustrated by Charlie Shaw, Disney Press (New York, NY), 1991.

Davy Crockett and the Creek Indians, illustrated by Charlie Shaw, Disney Press (New York, NY), 1991.

Davy Crockett and the Highwaymen, illustrated by Charlie Shaw, Disney Press (New York, NY), 1992.

Calamity Jane at Fort Sanders, illustrated by Charlie Shaw, Disney Press (New York, NY), 1992.

Annie Oakley in the Wild West Extravaganza!, illustrated by Charlie Shaw, Disney Press (New York, NY), 1993.

Wild Bill Hickok versus the Rebel Raiders, illustrated by Charlie Shaw, Disney Press (New York, NY), 1993.

Davy Crockett Meets Death Hug, illustrated by Charlie Shaw, Disney Press (New York, NY), 1993.

"BIKER MICE FROM MARS" SERIES; FICTION; WITH JUSTINE KORMAN

Hands off My Bike!, Random House (New York, NY), 1994.

The Masked Motorcyclist, illustrated by Bob Ostrom, Random House (Ne York, NY), 1994.

"BABE, PIG IN THE CITY" SERIES; FICTION; BASED ON THE NOVEL BY DICK KING-SMITH; ADAPTOR WITH JUSTINE KORMAN

Babe, Pig in the City, Random House (New York, NY), 1998.

Friends to the Rescue, 1998.

Beware of Dog!, Random House (New York, NY), 1998.

"THE FUNNIE MYSTERIES" SERIES; FICTION; BASED ON CHARACTERS BY JIM MINKINS; ADAPTOR WITH JUSTINE KORMAN

Quailman Battles the Giant Space Slug, Golden Books (New York, NY), 1999.

The Case of the Baffling Beast, illustrated by William Preston, Disney Press (New York, NY), 2000.

NONFICTION; WITH JUSTINE FONTES

Abraham Lincoln: Lawyer, Leader, Legend, Dorling Kindersley (New York, NY), 2001.

George Washington: Soldier, Hero, President, Dorling Kindersley (New York, NY), 2001.

Brazil, Children's Press (New York, NY), 2003.

China, Children's Press (New York, NY), 2003.

France, Children's Press (New York, NY), 2003.

India, Children's Press (New York, NY), 2003.

Ireland, Children's Press (New York, NY), 2003.

Israel, Children's Press (New York, NY), 2003.

Italy, Children's Press (New York, NY), 2003.

Kenya, Children's Press (New York, NY), 2003.

Mexico, Children's Press (New York, NY), 2003.

Russia, Children's Press (New York, NY), 2003.

Delaware, the First State, World Almanac Library (Milwaukee, WI), 2003.

North Dakota, the Peace Garden State, World Almanac Library (Milwaukee, WI), 2003.

West Virginia, the Mountain State, World Almanac Library (Milwaukee, WI), 2003.

Wyoming, the Equality State, World Almanac Library (Milwaukee, WI), 2003.

Proteins, Children's Press (New York, NY), 2005.

Rachel Carson, Children's Press (New York, NY), 2005.

GRAPHIC NOVELS

Captain Fortune, RipOff Comics, 1994.

(Editor with Justine Fontes) Tale of the Terminal Diner, Sonic Publishing (Readfield, ME), 2004.

(And illustrator) Captain Fortune, Sonic Publishing (Readfield, ME), 2005.

(With Justine Fontes; and illustrator with David Barneda) The Batsons, Sonic Publishing (Readfield, ME), 2005.

(With Justine Fontes; and illustrator) Itchy Mitch, Mondo (New York, NY), 2006.

(And illustrator) Bloodlust, Sonic Publishing (Readfield, ME), 2006.

(With Justine Fontes; and illustrator with Paul Plumer) Wooden Sword/Rudis Princeps: Vesuvius; Via Appia; Arena (English and Latin text), three volumes, Sonic Publishing (Readfield, ME), 2006.

(With Justine Fontes) Atalanta: The Race against Destiny, Graphic Universe (Minneapolis, MN), 2007.

(With Justine Fontes) Demeter and Persephone: Spring Held Hostage, Graphic Universe (Minneapolis, MN), 2007.

(With Justine Fontes) Captured by Pirates, illustrated by David Witt, Graphic Universe (Minneapolis, MN), 2007.

(With Justine Fontes) The Trojan Horse: The Fall of Troy, Graphic Universe (Minneapolis, MN), 2007.

FILM AND TELEVISION ADAPTATIONS

(With Justine Korman) 101 Dalmations (based on the motion picture), Golden Books (New York, NY), 1988.

(With Justine Korman) Hook: The Storybook (based on the motion picture), Random House (New York, NY), 1991.

(With Justine Korman) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Secret of the Ooze (based on the television series), Random House (New York, NY), 1991.

The Rocketeer, Disney Press (New York, NY), 1991.

(With Justine Korman) Batman Returns Movie Storybook, Western Publishing (Racine, WI), 1992.

(With Justine Korman) Lion King: Zazu's View (based on the motion picture), Golden Books (New York, NY), 1994.

(With Justine Korman) Lion King: Friends in Need (based on the motion picture), Golden Books (New York, NY), 1994.

(With Justine Korman) Squanto, a Warrior's Tale, illustrated by Darlene Craviotto and Bob Dolman, Random House (New York, NY), 1994.

(With Justine Korman) X-Men: Masquerade, illustrated by Aristides Ruiz, Random House (New York, NY), 1994.

(With Justine Korman) Lion King: No Worries (based on the motion picture), Golden Books (New York, NY), 1995.

(With Justine Korman) Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls, Random House (New York, NY), 1995.

(With Justine Korman) Babe: A Little Pig Goes a Long Way (based on the novel by Dick King-Smith), Random House (New York, NY), 1995.

(With Justine Korman) Congo: The Movie, Random House (New York, NY), 1995.

(With Justine Korman) Pocahontas (based on the animated film), Golden Books (New York, NY), 1995.

(With Justine Korman) Pocahontas: Voice of Wind (based on the animated film), Golden Books (New York, NY), 1995.

(With Justine Korman) Lion King: The Cave Monster (based on the motion picture), Golden Books (New York, NY), 1996.

(With Justine Korman) Mars Attacks! (based on the motion picture), Troll Communications (Mahwah, NJ), 1996.

(With Justine Korman) The Hunchback of Notre Dame (based on the animated film), Golden Books (New York, NY), 1996.

(With Justine Korman) Disney's Flubber, Golden Books (New York, NY), 1997.

(With Justine Korman) Tower of Terror (based on the television program), Disney Press (New York, NY), 1997.

(With Justine Korman) Mushu's Story, Disney Press (New York, NY), 1998.

(With Justine Fontes) A Bug's Life, Disney Press (New York, NY), 1998.

(With Justine Fontes) Stuart Little: George and Stuart, HarperFestival (New York, NY), 1999.

(With Justine Fontes) Stuart Little: My Family Album, HarperFestival (New York, NY), 1999.

(With Justine Fontes) Stuart Little: Search and Find, HarperFestival (New York, NY), 1999.

(With Justine Fontes) Toy Story II: Rex to the Rescue!, Disney Press (New York, NY), 1999.

(With Justine Fontes) Disney's Pepper Ann: Too Cool to Be Twelve, Golden Books (New York, NY), 1999.

(With Justine Fontes) Disney's Toy Story: A Read-aloud Story Book, Mouse Works (New York, NY), 1999.

(With Justine Fontes) Star Wars Episode I: Anakin's Pit Droid (based on the film series), Random House (New York, NY), 2000.

(With Justine Fontes) To Fly with Dragons (based on characters created by Ron Rodecker), Random House (New York, NY), 2000.

(With Justine Fontes) It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (based on the characters by Charles M. Schulz), Little Simon (New York, NY), 2001.

(With Justine Fontes) Jurassic Park III: Rescue Mission, Random House (New York, NY), 2001.

(With Justine Fontes) A Charlie Brown Christmas (based on the television special), Little Simon (New York, NY), 2001.

(With Justine Fontes) It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown! (based on the television special), illustrated by Paige Braddock, Little Simon (New York, NY), 2001.

(With Justine Fontes) Star Wars: Attack of the Clones: Battle in the Arena, Random House (New York, NY), 2002.

(With Justine Fontes) A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (based on the television special), Little Simon (New York, NY), 2002.

(With Justine Fontes) A Charlie Brown Valentine (based on the television special), illustrated by Paige Braddock, Little Simon (New York, NY), 2002.

(With Justine Fontes) Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat Storybook (based on the motion picture), Random House (New York, NY), 2003.

(With Justine Fontes) Lucy Must Be Traded (based on the television special), Little Simon (New York, NY), 2004.

Adaptor, with Justine Fontes, of numerous other readers, junior novelizations, storybooks, and novelty books based on television and film screenplays.

OTHER

(With Justine Fontes and Serge Rion) Walt Disney Pictures Presents: Dinosaur Joke Book, Disney Press (New York, NY), 2000.

Also author of screenplays, including Bloodlust. Author, with Justine Fontes, of numerous novelty books, readers, and book-club editions.

Sidelights

Ron Fontes told SATA: "I have told stories in pictures and words all my life. At age three I drew a grasshopper, right down to the hairs on its legs. My mother taught me to read using flashcards. By age six I was chuckling over jokes in my cousin's comic books.

"My serious pursuit of art started with a bad case of swimmer's ear that kept me in bed for nearly a year. Dizzy if I sat up or rolled over, I learned to keep very

still—and to draw. I also had plenty of time to read and I taught myself all about ancient civilizations. I could only listen to television.

"At age sixteen I stayed up late every night to draw and co-scripted a science-fiction comic-strip series with my friend, John Browne. John's father was a professional writer who helped us place ‘Stellar Ops’ in our local newspaper. But adventure strips were dying, and when John moved to Orlando, Florida, I focused on other projects, including one about a gladiator.

"I worked my way through the local college, Austin Peay State University. When the art department rejected my classical drawing style and my interest in comics, I switched to theatre. Costuming, acting, directing, and doing make-up for seventy-two shows over the next six years taught me many aspects of visual storytelling.

"After college, the need to earn a living pulled me away from acting into advertising, where I quickly rose to art director of a top Nashville agency. A painful divorce freed me to fulfill my lifelong dream of moving to New York City, and I wound up working in the comic-book department of Western Publishing/Little Golden Books.

"While waiting for the subway one morning, I met my future wife, Justine Korman, an editorial assistant at little Golden Books who lived nearby in Greenwich Village. When Western closed its comic-book department, I fulfilled another lifelong dream: Through a mixture of amazing coincidence and preparation, I became the production supervisor in Marvel Comics' Special Projects Department. At Marvel I worked with comic legends like Spider-Man artist John Romita, Sr., Sol Brodsky, and Stan Lee.

"When working in comics proved less fun than reading them, and Justine needed help with her growing children's book career, I became a children's book writer. Together, we have written everything from board books to junior novels, fiction and nonfiction, and original and adaptations of movies and cartoon shows like Batman Returns and ‘Peanuts.’

"Aspiring to tell 1,001 tales, Justine and I are near the halfway mark—over 520 books by late 2007—including mega-bestsellers like the Little Golden Books retelling of The Lion King. Since moving to Maine in 1988, we have kept in touch with publishers, family, and friends with critter news, a strictly for-fun newsletter now published quarterly in color. The newsletter has been a place to develop personal projects like our spooky-kooky family The Batsons and Tales of the Terminal Diner, the story of an aspiring cartoonist who finds a magic ring that grants wishes. In 2004 we launched Sonic Publishing."

Biographical and Critical Sources

PERIODICALS

Booklist, October 1, 2007, Jesse Karp, review of Captured by Pirates, p. 52.

Publishers Weekly, September 7, 1992, Elizabeth Devereaux, review of My Friend Fang, p. 59; January 14, 2002, review of It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown, p. 62.

School Library Journal, April, 1993, Jean H. Zimmerman, review of Calamity Jane at Fort Sanders, p. 118; August, 2001, Barbara Buckley, review of Abraham Lincoln: Lawyer, Leader, Legend, p. 168: March, 2004, Sandra Welzenbach, review of Brazil, p. 192; May, 2007, Alana Abbott, review of Demeter and Persephone: Spring Held Hostage, p. 165; September, 2007, Alana Abbott, review of Captured by Pirates, p. 222.

Voice of Youth Advocates, February, 2007, Amy Luedke, review of The Trojan Horse: The Fall of Troy, p. 558.