A new children’s book about bulls in Pamplona, whose story reportedly once caught Jennifer Lopez’s and Antonio Banderas’s interest as a potential movie, will be free as an e-book in time to close out National Book Month. “Toro,” penned by debut author Andrew Avner, is available for free via Amazon Kindle Oct. 28 through 31.
Offered right before Halloween, the deal almost sounds like a treat. It certainly is another tool to keep middle grade children entertained for a few days during the pandemic.
“So many families with kids are facing hard times, and I’d love ‘Toro’ to bring them some hope, inspiration, joy, and amusement,” says Avner. “Offering the free eBook for four days is a simple way to help and give back.”
“Toro” is set in the colorful backdrop of Pamplona, Spain during the fiesta of San Fermín and the running of the bulls, famed as one of the most exhilarating, dangerous, and spectacular events around the world. Ultimately, it’s a heartfelt, coming-of-age fable told from the cattle’s point of view. Like Charlotte’s Web, The Jungle Book, and Fantastic Mr. Fox, anthropomorphic talking animals drive the narrative.
Alicía Catalina Cortés is a fast and fiery Spanish cow who desperately wants to run with the bulls in Pamplona—but since she’s a cow, tradition forbids her to partake in the fiesta of San Fermín. Through her journey, Alicía learns that to be noble and brave, she must follow her dream and her heart, even if it means defying tradition.
FROM FILM CONCEPT TO BOOK PROJECT
The book marks Avner’s debut as an author. Initially a film concept, the book took over twenty years to arrive on the shelves and the digital market.
A filmmaker by trade with experience and relations in Hollywood, Avner first conceived “Toro” as an animated feature told from the animals’ perspective. The inspiration came from watching the best of Disney and Pixar, according to the author, who holds a fine arts degree in film and television from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
Major animation studios, award-winning directors, and internationally renowned actors loved the idea of a “Toro” film—with Antonio Banderas circling the project and Jennifer Lopez attached to voice the lead role and produce the movie with Avner at one point. Yet, the stars never seemed to align to make the film a reality. “Countless times a “Toro” movie was almost made,” recalls Avner. However, after over a decade of frustration on the film front, Avner decided to go a different route and wrote “Toro” as a middle grade novel instead.
MORE CHALLENGES
Similar to his experience trying to get a film made, the literary endeavor also proved to be somewhat of a challenge for the first-time author. Shortly after completing the manuscript, he says he lost his book agent and was left without any prospects for new representation or publication.
Undaunted, the then-aspiring author decided to take the bull by the horns in true indie spirit. With the help of voice actor friends, Avner produced the audiobook version of “Toro,” recording it entirely in the kitchen of his West Hollywood apartment with virtually no budget other than a $79 software plugin and even voicing a few main characters himself, according to the author. By April 2020 “Toro” the full-cast audiobook was complete with narration by Brad Raider and performances by George Spielvogel, Malili Dib, Leila Cohen, and Yolanda Corrales, plus post-production by Jacob Morgan.
Just a few months later, the effort paid off. Avner secured a publishing deal with independent publisher Black Rose Writing who agreed to release the audiobook along with e-book and paperback editions.
INSPIRING CHILDREN
“The story behind the story is one of faith and self-reliance, to pursue a vision or dream in the face of impossible odds, to defy immeasurable rejection and succeed. My personal story as an artist and the narrative of my book are the same—hopeful and uplifting,” remarks Avner about his determination to bring “Toro” to fruition.
On the heels of its release, the accolades for “Toro” began rolling in. Positive reviews were followed by a recent NYC Big Book Award for best audiobook and distinguished favorite in the juvenile fiction category. Currently, “Toro” is nominated for a Cybils Award in the elementary/middle grade speculative fiction category and is being considered for the Odyssey Award, Newbery Medal, and National Book Award, according to its author.
Having discovered a passion for writing novels, Avner seems now vested in Alicía’s story for the long run. “Toro” is only the first in a projected three-book series, reveals the filmmaker-turned-author, who has not given up on an animated film or even a live-action virtual production in the vein of Disney’s The Jungle Book (2016), whereby photorealistic talking animals appear alongside real actors. In the meantime, it appears the sequel to the book may likely be set in Fort Worth, Texas.
The “Toro” Kindle and paperback editions are available now via Amazon and all major book retailers. Its audiobook is available via Audible, Amazon, and Apple Books.
To listen to an excerpt from the the audiobook, click here