Princeton Author To Release Children's Picture Book This Fall

Princeton resident Daniel Errico will release his first picture book for kids October 1 called The Journey of Noble Gnarble. The book tells the story of a majestic and elusive fish who dreams of reaching the surface of the sea and seeing the sun for the very first time.  

It’s when he tries to turn that dream into a reality that the gnarble begins to see why no fish of his kind has ever made it before. A gnarble, as the author described it, is a “funky looking fish” with a long body, thin snout, oversize tail and oddly small fins who lives at the bottom of the ocean. 

“I’ve always been fascinated by the deep sea floor," said Errico. "Lying in bed one night I started thinking about what kind of incredible creatures might live down there. Then I thought ‘If I’m dreaming about the sea below, what if one of them was dreaming about the world above?’ That’s how the gnarble and his story was first created.

“He’s ambitious but not arrogant, persistent but not aggressive, and scared but still brave. That’s what makes him noble.”

Traditional storytelling is important to Errico, who believes that kids understand tone and context, and that a playful narration can make a story-driven tale more enjoyable.

“I want kids to see that persistence is what makes you unstoppable," he said. "There’s conflict around every corner, but the gnarble never fights a single fish.  I want them to see that a strong will and resolve are more powerful than anything that stands in your way... or even swallows you whole."

Errico's stories have been viewed in more than 200 countries and translated into six different languages.

The author has created a website that shares stories with kids around the globe who may not be able to afford traditional books. To support this effort, visit www.FreeChildrenStories.com to buy a book to donate to the charity.

Errico grew up in Short Hills, N.J., graduated from Villanova University in Pennsylvania and has worked at both an investment bank and a mechanical engineering firm.