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Dakota Midday: 'The Monster Who Ate the State'

South Dakota Historical Society Press

Cartoonist Chris Browne was inspired by Godzilla in the creation of his first illustrated book for children, The Monster Who Ate the State. The book is published by the South Dakota Historical Society Press and tells the story of a hungry dinosaur named Soozy who travels across South Dakota, from the Black Hills to Sioux Falls, looking for something to eat and a new place to call home.

Browne is best known for drawing the daily Hagar the Horrible comic strip created by his father, Dik Browne. Chris Browne took over the strip with his father’s retirement in 1988. Browne grew up in Connecticut and lived in Florida before moving to Sioux Falls. He says The Monster Who Ate the State is a love letter to his new home.

Browne has a reading and signing at Zandbroz Variety in downtown Sioux Falls on Saturday, December 13 at 12:30 pm. He joined Dakota Midday and discussed the new book and drawing Hagar the Horrible.

Karl was born to northeastern South Dakota crouton farmers, but was orphaned as a toddler during the Great Salad War (1966-67). Rescued by a flock of chickadees, he grew up in the woodlands of Sica Hollow. Legends of a bird boy living in the trees attracted the interest of renowned ornithologist and amateur bandoneon repairman Dr. Vogel Gehrke. With a handful of suet, Dr. Gehrke coaxed the timid boy down from the trees. He adopted him, named him Karl and taught him not to molt on the carpet. Dr. Gehrke’s book, The Bird Boy of Sica Hollow, was a best seller and Karl became a minor celebrity and teen idol. He appeared as a guest star on numerous television programs, most notably an awkward role on The Love Boat as the boyfriend of Captain Stubing’s daughter, Vicki. After critics panned his 1980 album, Bird Boy Does Disco, Karl retreated from public life and returned to Sica Hollow. Living in an isolated tree house, Karl achieved a reputation as a mystic. Pilgrims and seekers from around the world came to ask him about the meaning of life and for vinaigrette recipes. Growing tired of answering questions, he climbed down from his tree, shaved his massive white beard and took a job as the host of SDPB Radio’s Dakota Midday where he could ask the questions instead. After three years in that position, he ran out of questions and became host of Jazz Nightly instead. Karl makes his home in Vermillion with his charming wife Kari and three delightful children, Kodey, Kasey and Spatula. His hobbies include reciting the alphabet, combing his hair and doing volunteer work with delinquent songbirds.
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