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Fred The Coconut Takes Flight

June 8, 2026

Illustration from the children's book "Fred The Coconut," written and illustrated by Mark Armstrong. Fred The Coconut has fallen off Mt. Rushmore and is saved by his umbrella and a helpful air current.blank vertical space, 32 pixels highI’ve been working on a children’s book, and I’m pretty excited: I’m self-publishing it via Amazon KDP, and it’s scheduled to go live and be available for purchase on Friday, June 26, 2026.blank vertical space, 16 pixels high

The name of the book is Fred The Coconut. What’s it about? Here’s the blurb from the back cover.blank vertical space, 32 pixels highBack cover of the children's book, "Fred The Coconut," written and illustrated by Mark Armstrong. Fred The Coconut has washed up on a beach and has just met three girls who have built a rocket ship.

blank vertical space, 32 pixels highThat Fred– he really gets around!!blank vertical space, 16 pixels high

I put together some quiz questions to generate some buzz ahead of the launch. Each question has a little teaser spot illustration from the book. Hope you enjoy them!


blank vertical space, 16 pixels high1. True or False: There’s a horse race in “Fred The Coconut.”

Answer: True.

It’s a seahorse race. Fred wins, of course.

Here’s a picture of one of the runner-ups:blank vertical space, 32 pixels high

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blank vertical space, 16 pixels high2. In “Fred The Coconut,” Fred manages to sneak in a visit to what planet?

A) Venus
B) Mars
C) Saturn
D) Vulcan

Answer: B) Mars

Fred becomes the first coconut in space. He crashes on Mars, and you won’t believe what he finds there, or how he gets back!blank vertical space, 32 pixels high

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blank vertical space, 16 pixels high3. How many cartoon maps are there in “Fred The Coconut”?

A) None
B) 1
C) 2
D) 37

Answer: C) 2

There’s a map of Western Europe and the British Isles, and a map of South America and parts of Central America.

Let’s face it: if you’re 2-5 years old, the best way to learn geography is with cartoon maps!! The maps will also be helpful for parents who think Peru is somewhere in Australia.blank vertical space, 32 pixels high

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blank vertical space, 16 pixels high4. What’s the name of the hot air balloon Fred falls out of?

A) Gasbag
B) Buster Lung
C) Cloudjammer
D) Alps Express

Answer: D) Alps Express

Is Fred injured??— certainly not!! In fact, his fall helps him cross the English Channel. Fred is nothing if not resourceful.blank vertical space, 32 pixels high

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blank vertical space, 16 pixels high5. There’s a seagull that acts out in the background on several pages in the book. You can see him standing on what?

A) The frightened exclamation “YAAAAA—!!”
B) A thought balloon containing a coconut cream pie
C) A ski helmet worn by a penguin
D) All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above.

He also stands on a few clouds, but gee, a lotta seagulls do that. 😴blank vertical space, 24 pixels high

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blank vertical space, 16 pixels high6. When Fred arrives at the South Pole, what’s the name of the town he lands in?

A) Ernest Shackletown
B) West Rockhopper
C) Penguinville
D) Frost Heaves

Answer: Penguinville

Fred meets a lot of waddle-folk down there, and he sure stands out, being a colorful brown and all.

Ernest Shackleton was a polar explorer who’s worth checking out. His story is almost as exciting as Fred’s!!blank vertical space, 32 pixels high

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blank vertical space, 16 pixels highHow’d you do on the quiz?? The pictures may have given you a few clues!!blank vertical space, 16 pixels high

Fred The Coconut: a children’s book destined for bestsellerdom!! Going live on Amazon KDP on June 26, 2026.blank vertical space, 16 pixels high

Thanks for all your support!! 🙏blank vertical space, 16 pixels high

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About Mark: I’m an illustrator specializing in humor, branding, social media, and content marketing. My images are different, like your brand needs to be.blank vertical space, 16 pixels high

You can view my portfolio, and connect with me on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.blank vertical space, 16 pixels high

Questions? Send me an email.blank vertical space, 40 pixels highPhoto of illustrator Mark Armstrong. Mark's written a children's book and he's going to self-publish it. He'll be sharing his progress and his research on self-publishing in a Substack newsletter called "Mark Armstrong, Children's Book Author." You can subscribe for free.

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7 Comments leave one →
  1. Matthew David Curry's avatar
    June 8, 2026 1:13 PM

    I’m happy for you, Mark. I’m excited about reading it. I know it will be wonderful.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Mark Armstrong's avatar
      June 8, 2026 4:43 PM

      Too kind, Matt, as is your custom!! Seems like I’ve been working on it forever, hard to believe that Launch Day is almost here. The book has an About The Author page that invites readers to visit a website for the book. The only problem is, I’m still building the site– yikes!! 😬💦

      Thanks for all your support. It means much more than I can ever say– truly. Hope you’re well and that your own work is proceeding apace!! Cheers, onward, and thanks again!! 🙏🙏🙏😊

      Liked by 2 people

  2. Steve Campbell Creations's avatar
    June 10, 2026 4:18 PM

    Very cool, Mark. Kids will be going coconuts over Fred.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Mark Armstrong's avatar
      June 11, 2026 8:53 PM

      Ha!!– now that’s the kind of enthusiasm I like to see!! 👍👏💪😅

      Thanks, Steve! As always, I appreciate your kind and generous support. Hope you’re well, and I do apologize for being a stranger. I shall be popping over for a visit– cheers!

      Liked by 2 people

  3. soul . to . earth's avatar
    June 19, 2026 8:55 PM

    I signed into WP after a lifetime, wandering over to cast my lazy eye on your blog and what do I see? – you’re publishing a book! Wowee & congrats! 😀

    Sad to say that I failed the quiz completely. As a hard nut to crack, I’m sure Fred can relate.

    Q1: I drowned in my drool over fish curry in coconut milk.

    Q 2: As captain of Mars House (in high school), I wondered if the world’s first known trillionaire is just homesick? Men are from Mars, I’ve heard. EEE-LONE GO HOME.

    Q 3: Did Fred ‘find himself’ in India? Nirvana to a coconut: Become one with chutney! Food for thought.

    Q 4: Hip hot air balloon names: Nut Jawb or Paps Express?

    Q 5: Living-stun seagull was last seen on the cover of a book slightly older than moi. Psst- I overheard him say: “The gull sees farthest who flies highest.” Fred: “The gall!” Gully gall spoke again: “Keep working on love.” Fred: “That’s nuts, I’ll just pass the Bach!

    Sea why I failed just horsing around? Ah, well!

    Where is the link to the book bye… oops, book buy? Please add it since I can’t find it on Amazon. Congratulations and a happy, merry birthday to come on the 4th – yes, I remember. Cheers until we meet again in The Ganges Club once again!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Mark Armstrong's avatar
      June 21, 2026 2:49 PM

      Ah, my dear Radhika!!– your zany and facetious and pun-filled comment brought a happy tear to my lazy eye!! I shared it with some of the other Rajputana Riflemen here at the Ganges Club, and we all had to unwrap our turbans and dab our brown and grizzled cheeks!! We’d just been speaking of you and toasting you with endless rounds of thandai, lassi, and falooda, and wishing you were here!! 👳‍♂️🥲🥃🍹🧉 <= Fred

      Were you really captain of Mars House??– I'm sure there must be a story there! Nut Jawb and Living-stun Seagull made me roar with laughter– you have most assuredly not lost your touch, mon amie!!

      Yes, it’s hard to believe, but I am self-publishing a children’s book called Fred The Coconut on Amazon KDP. The reason you couldn’t find it on Amazon is because it won’t be “going live” there until this Friday, June 26th. That’s when the related Amazon book sales page will magically appear, hordes will descend (electronically) and buy the book, and make me richer than your friend Elon. Theoretically, anyway.

      It’s beyond wunnaful to hear from you, hope you’re well, thanks so much for your kind and jolly interest, and I shall look forward to chatting further!! Here’s lookin’ at you, laddoo!! 🧉😋💦

      Liked by 2 people

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