Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi
In May of 2003, Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi were on a two week tour promoting their new series The Spiderwick Chronicles. I met them in Bethesda, Maryland near the middle of the two weeks-later that day they were heading off to Atlanta. One extra added bonus for this team is Tony's wife Angela who serves as their manager and is obviously the one who keeps things moving in the right direction. Before I had completed the interview, she had arranged to have an electronic version of the publicity photo e-mailed so that it could be a part of this story. She helps with the set up for their presentation (more later) and even does a great job warming up the crowd before their appearance.
Holly burst on the scene in 2002 when her first book, Tithe: A Modern Fairy Tale was published. It garnered high praise including a starred review in Publisher's Weekly and recommendation as a Best Books for Young Adults, 2003 by the American Library Association's YALSA Division. Tony has been around longer, illustrating and writing picture books, and he is no slouch in that department. Most recently his version of Mary Howitt's The Spider and the Fly won a Caldecott Honor. It also made The Children's Literature Choice List; Choices 2003 from the Cooperative Children's Book Center; and was given starred reviews in Publishers Weekly, Kirkus and School Library Journal. Some of his earlier books, Ted and Jimmy Zangwow's Out-of-This-World Moon Pie Adventure, also were given good reviews. His work tends to be a little more off the wall-perhaps more along the lines of a Jon Scieszka. Tony mentioned that one of the comments that stuck with him was Scieszka's remark "that it is lonely being out there on the edge." He also noted that he had to fight to keep pushing the boundaries in The Spider and the Fly and to keep the ending--as well as the black-and-white format.
It was quite an experience developing the book because he really only knew the first line of the poem. He told me that he was already working on another book when he was asked to take over this one. It was originally planned for Fred Marcellino who passed away before he could work on the book. When Tony read the rest of the poem, he was really excited. It was all fresh to him, and he had no preconceived ideas as to the illustrations. In a starred review Kirkus noted "Delightfully ghoulish full-bleed black-and-white spreads are rendered in gouache and pencil, and reproduced in silver-and-black duotone, resulting in images that recall the slightly fuzzy-edged figures from old black-and-white horror movies." Janice M. Del Negro in her review for the Bulletin stated that "DiTerlizzi's reimagining of Howitt's nineteenth-century cautionary poem is an illustrative tour de force, a stylistic homage to Gorey, Rackham, and Addams." The final book is very close to Tony's vision.
With all of that going for each of them, the question first on my mind was what brought these seemly so different people together as collaborators on a new series of books-The Spidewick Chronicles. Apparently, they have been friends for years and share a love of fantasy and fantasy games such as Dungeons and Dragons. They are also big fans of the Star Wars movies. Both now married, the couples really get along and enjoy visiting each other although changes in their geographic locations has made that a bit more difficult. Holly is from West Long Branch, New Jersey and still lives in the state. They used to travel into the city to visit Tony and his wife in Brooklyn, but Tony and Angela fell in love with Amherst, Massachusetts and decided to leave their city home for the more bucolic life. Tony now has a studio in their home; and they have what they wanted--a house, yard and a beautiful place to live with a great community of artists and writers.
Holly is the writer and also reads voraciously. All her life she has been interested in writing and although it took her almost six years to produce Tithe, the latest books are just spewing forth. How Tithe came to be published is a fine example of the value of friends and connections in the publishing world and truly in any field. Tony asked his editor, Kevin Lewis, to have a look at Holly's manuscript. While his editor focused more on picture books and had only done a few novel length books, most notably Rainbow Boys, he agreed to take a look at the manuscript. The good news was that in early 2001 Holly had a contract (it took six months for the internal sales process) and the book made its appearance in print in 2002. Readers might note that the book is dedicated to her sister Heidi who unfortunately met with an untimely death due to a heroin overdose. Currently Holly is working on a sequel to Tithe; her master's degree in library and information science which she will complete after a few more courses at Rutgers; and The Spiderwick Chronicles. She feels that her education program has opened new doors for her. She has learned HTML, a little about film editing and worked a lot on writing including a Teen Arts Festival.
Tony, the artist, was born in California but spent most of his early years growing up in Jupiter, Florida. He studied art and has an AA degree. Taking no chances, he also concentrated on graphic design and advertising. In spite of his appearance as a bit of an unconventional sort, Tony obviously has a very practical streak. Both he and Holly hope that they will one day be able to teach. Tony remarked that "There is so much they don't teach you in art school" and perhaps he can help enlighten some of the next generation of children's book artists. Not only has he created picture books, but Tony has illustrated covers and the works of Tolkien, Phyllis Reynold Naylor (Bernie Magruder series), Bruce Coville and Anne McCaffrey. I wish I could have been at the presentation of the Zena Southerland award, because Tony ended up presenting one to himself. For those who may not know about this award, it is in a way a counter to the Caldecott in which adults pick the outstanding illustrated books for a given year whereas with the Southerland award, kids pick their favorite books.
The Spiderwick Chronicles, Holly and Tony remarked is truly a collaborative work. They discussed the concept and once their proposal was approved by their editor they were off and running. Holly writes and sends the manuscript copy to Tony for his comments and input, sometimes she is stuck and Tony makes suggestions. They also converse on the phone. After the last book in the series is complete, they will be restoring The Field Guide. In a nutshell, The Chronicles tell of the adventures of the three Grace siblings who end up living in a decrepit old house owned by their great-aunt Lucinda. They find a book entitled The Field Guide which describes a variety of fairies, goblins, trolls and other monsters and learn that their world is populated by these creatures. Each of the first two books in the series opens with a letter from Holly Black explaining how she came to learn about and write the story of Mallory, Jared and Simon Grace. There is even a reproduction of their letter which got the whole business started. The next spread has a delightful map of the Spiderwick Estate and the surrounding area. Tony said that he really worked hard to break up the text with lots of illustrations, to make the books less daunting and appealing to younger readers.
While touring, the author/illustrator team has a trunk of items mentioned in the books. The Barnes & Noble children's department had really prepared the crowd by running a trivia quiz before their appearance and awarding prizes (all the kids eventually got a prize). As Tony's wife Angela warms up the crowd she warns them that they might see some frightening, astounding and astonishing things. A raise of hands showed that some members of the audience did indeed believe in fairies. Holly and Tony showed various items from the book and asked their audience questions. Most of the kids we more than eager to answer them and touch or gawk at the unicorn horn, troll teeth and the seeing stone--all of which are described in the books and part of the show. It is fun and the books are easy to read. Kids will gobble them up and anxiously await the remaining three in the series.
In the meantime, Tony and Holly are happy because the books should do well with an initial printing of 50,000 copies; plus they have already been optioned by Nickelodeon/Paramount. For more information about this "dynamic duo" you can visit Holly at her web site www.blackholly.com and Tony at his site www.diterlizzi.com
Contributor: Marilyn Courtot
Follow this link to a conversation with the creators of the Spiderwick Chronicles prepared by Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing in 2003.
Follow this link to a 2008 update to the conversation with the creators of the Spiderwick Chronicles.
Reviews
Alien and Possum: Friends No Matter WhatTony Johnston
Illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi
Possum and Alien couldn't be more different. Alien is made of smooth metal. Possum is hairy. Alien is rainbow-colored. Possum is just one color--gray. Alien thinks high voltage is yummy. Possum's favorite snack is trash. Can these two ever be friends? You bet. They meet when Alien crash-lands his spaceship on a moonlit night, right into Possum's back yard. Despite a rocky start, the two new friends have some pretty funny adventures together. Underlying the action in the chapters is a wonderful idea that speaks to kids of all ages--a friend is someone who likes you, no matter what. Tony Johnston is a renowned author of more than thirty books for young readers. These "Alien and Possum" stories are reminiscent of Arnold Lobel's much-loved Frog and Toad tales. The type-style, page layout and sentence structure are perfect for beginning readers. Tony DiTerlizzi's full-color illustrations in watercolors, colored pencil and gouache paints add a gentle, lyrical tone. The book is the first title in a series that beginning readers are certain to become hooked on. 2001, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $15.00. Ages 6 to 8. Reviewer: Dianne Ochiltree
ISBN: 0-689-83835-2
Alien & Possum Hanging Out
Tony Johnston
Illustrations by Tony DiTerlizzi
The familiar format of an easy-reader friendship story gets a pleasingly bizarre twist when the two friends are this unlikely pair: fluffy, furry Possum, dressed in rolled-up overalls or striped nightshirt, with his tail poking out the back; and shiny, metal Alien, dressed in his spacesuit, with an incongruous, tiny black top hat perched on his head. In three short free-standing stories, the two discover that each is special in his own way ("There are trillions and kazillions and kerbillions and skadillions of possums. But there is only one possum like you"), that you don't need to have an actual day-you-were-born birthday to have a birthday party, "where you eat too much frosting and sing the birthday song and dance all over the place," and that friends can have fun together even if one hangs from tree branches upside down and one hangs from tree branches right side up. The messages are both offbeat and profound, presented in a way that is lighthearted rather than heavy-handed. Author Tony and illustrator Tony have come up with a delightful duo here. 2002, Simon & Schuster, $15.00. Ages 6 to 8. Reviewer: Claudia Mills
ISBN: 0-689-83836-0
Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You
Holly Black
Illustrations by Tony DiTerlizzi
Consult this guide before venturing into the invisible and fantastic world of faerie. Here is a treasure trove of information about the "life, habits and habitats of the denizens of the Invisible World." Peer into lakes, streams and the sea to find kelpies, merfolk and nixies. Look around the house and yard for brownies, boggarts, pixies and the occasional stray sod. Thirty-eight color plates depict an assortment of fantastical creatures with subsequent pages giving vital information about each. Who knew that most goblins (Family Adentidea) are born without teeth? Or that leprechauns (Family Ingeniosidea) sometimes fashion shoes for goats and the occasional cat? Faded notes scribbled on the pages of the guide give snippets of practical information to help the reader find and identify these strange beings; "in an area where there are pixies, you may spot small harnesses on foxes?" Lavishly illustrated on silky heavy weight paper with watercolor landscapes as well as color and black-and-white sketches, this volume is a delight for the senses. Although written as a must-have companion for the Spiderwick Chronicles, any reader who wants to learn more about the mysterious creatures that inhabit the Invisible World will find this book irresistible. 2005, Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, Ages 9 to 12, $24.95. Reviewer: Anita Barnes Lowen
ISBN: 978-0-689-85941-0
ISBN-10: 0-689-85941-4
Jimmy Zangwow's Out-of-This-World Moon Pie Adventure
Written and illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi
Jimmy's story can perhaps be appreciated more if you are a fan of that cookie, chocolate, and marshmallow confection, but the adventure remains an exciting one even for Oreo lovers. Longing to go to the moon for a Moon Pie, Jimmy is excited and a bit surprised when his "seecret projekt" jalopy takes off, with a shudder, out of this world. A slightly deaf old moon man gives him a thousand Moon Pies, then directs him to the Milky Way for "the only thing that goes with Moon Pies." An encounter with Mars Men avid for his Moon Pies, then with the monster Grimble Grinder, turn out just fine, with Jimmy getting safely back home for dinner and his favorite dessert. The double-page, naturalistic paintings present an engaging redheaded Jimmy in cowboy boots, a spectacled old man in the moon, a properly tongue-in-cheek scary Grimble Grinder, etc., in settings just detailed enough to bring us into the action. Added bits like the boy-made space vehicle and the appealingly out-of-this-world Martians add significantly to the attractiveness of the story. 2000, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $16.00. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewers: Ken and Sylvia Marantz
ISBN: 0-689-82215-4
Jimmy Zangwow's Out-of-This-World Moon Pie Adventure
Written and illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi
How far would you go to get your favorite snack?" If you love those yummy chocolate marshmallow double-decker treats as much as Jimmy Zangwow does you would be willing to go to the moon and beyond. Because it is so close to dinner, Jimmy's mom will not allow him to have his favorite snack. Lo and behold, his secret project, the junk jumbilee jalopy, works and he rockets skyward to ask the man in the moon for Moon Pies. One thousand Moon Pies are loaded into the jalopy, but alas, Jimmy has forgotten the milk to go with them. So where do you get milk in space? The Milky Way has rivers of the frosty stuff. A loud rumble-grumble careens the jalopy out of control and Jimmy crash lands on Mars. Would you believe it? The nine hundred and ninety-nine Mars-Men LOVE Moon Pies, but before they can enjoy their treat the evil Grimble Grinder appears. Will they all be eaten by the Grindle Grinder? Will any one get to taste a Moon Pie? Will Jimmy make it home for the Brussel-sprout-noodle-bean casserole? DiTerlizzi has created and illustrated a fun and frolicking tale, loaded with creativity and wit! The text is wrapped in vivid color and all are sure to love that wacky redheaded freckle-faced boy and the little blue men on the red planet! 2000, Simon & Schuster, $16.00. Ages 4 up. Reviewer: Laura Hummel
ISBN: 0-689-82215-4
Best Books:
The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2001 ; Bank Street College of Education; United States
Capitol Choices, 2000 ; The Capitol Choices Committee; United States
Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001 ; H.W. Wilson; United States
The Children's Literature Choice List, 2001 ; Children's Literature; United States
Notable Books for Children, 2001 ; American Library Association-ALSC; United States
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2001 ; National Council for the Social Studies; United States
Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, December 1999 ; Cahners; United States
School Library Journal Book Review Stars, March 2000 ; Cahners; United States
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Coretta Scott King Awards Honor Book 2001 United States
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
South Carolina Book Awards, 2003 ; South Carolina
Notebook for Fantastical Observations
Tony Diterlizzi and Holly Black
Mallory, Simon and Jared Grace entered a magical world that feed into any young reader's fantasy. Many twists and turns added suspension for any adventure seeking youth. Now these individuals can create their own supernatural journey into the world of faeries through the book, The Spiderwick Chronicles Notebook for Fantastical Observations. Diterlizzi and Black created simple, miniature adventure stories that include dragons, brownies, hobglobins, globins, and other mystical creatures. The three to four page tales lead right into pages of journal writing that allow the reader to chronicle their own testimonies to these stories. They get to use graphic organizers in a fun and exciting way that organizes them as they write down their ideas. Later, they can go back and review what they put down and add even more to their thoughts. The creators designed places where budding artist can incorporate drawings into this world of imagination. Without reading the adventures of the Grace children, the book offers little to its audience. The readers need prior knowledge and background to understand what they could invest into this story so they profit the most. Short glimpses of the creatures give no understanding as to how to view whereas reading about through the eyes of the Grace children gives the creatures more dimension and makes them less fearful or strange. The concept of using literary practices to engage young readers into a higher level and thinking and understanding was awesome. How ingenious to use list making, short essay, and actual drawings to help these readers to go beyond the normal grasp of what lies outside our world. 2005, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Ages 10 to 14, $9.95. Reviewer: Julia Beiker (Childrens Literature).
ISBN: 1-4169-0345-3
The Spider and the Fly
Mary Howitt
Illustrations by Tony DiTerlizzi
The poem is more than 150 years old, but the message to children that "not everyone who talks sweetly offers sweets" is sadly truer than ever. The message in this new edition is told with spooky fun dramatized by Tony DiTerlizzi's silly but imaginative drawings, all in shades of black, white and gray. Youngsters might wonder about a picture book with no color, but black is indeed the color of Halloween. There are marvelous details to point out to children, such as the looking glass that is really a bottle cap, the curtains that are butterfly wings or the various delicacies spread out on the spider's dining room table. The 19th century language of the original poem will necessitate explanations of such phrases as "give heed" and "unto an evil counselor," but the book will be marvelous for a simple storytime--and not exclusively at Halloween--or a reading animated by discussion of either the message or the artwork. 2002, Simon and Schuster, $16.95. Ages 4 to 8. Karen Leggett
ISBN: 0-689-85289-4
Best Books:
The Children's Literature Choice List, 2002 ; Children's Literature; United States
Choices, 2003 ; Cooperative Children's Book Center; United States
Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, July 1, 2002 ; Cahners; United States
School Library Journal Book Review Stars, September 2002 ; Cahners; United States
School Library Journal: Best Books, 2002 ; Cahners; United States
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Randolph Caldecott Medal Honor 2003 United States
The Spiderwick Chronicles: Book One - The Field Guide
Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black
When you are young you very often expect, and may even want, things to be uncomplicated, easygoing, unchanging. For the three Grace children: Jared, his twin brother Simon, and his older sister Mallory, life has been positively full of changes of late. Their father is no longer living with them, they have moved to a house that looks as if it might collapse at any moment, and Jared has been getting into all sorts of trouble. Time for a fresh start you might think. The problem is that something, or is it someone, seems to be trying to make life very difficult for the new residents of the Spiderwick estate. A pair of peculiar letters at the beginning of the book gently, but firmly, pull the reader into this story about very three very ordinary children. We are invited to share in their problems, ones that we can easily relate to; until Jared decides to explore the old house they are living in that is. Then Jared's problems cease to be familiar and become stranger and stranger. Unfortunately he is blamed for everything that goes wrong and the authors have brought him to life so well that the reader swells with indignation at the injustice of it all. Jared discovers a hidden room, a yellowed parchment that we too get to look at, and a "Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You." Do you know what a Bogart is? No? Neither did Jared until he had done some reading in the field guide. Nor does Jared see that he and Bogarts have something in common - they are unpredictable and sometimes thoughtless when they are angry and unhappy. Jared, then Simon, and finally Mallory all come to realize that there is more to this world than meets the eye. There are all sorts of strange and possibly dangerous creatures all around us. This is both exciting and yet it also is slightly worrying. What are the children to do with this bizarre field guide and with the knowledge that lies within it? Presented to look a little like a personal diary or journal, the reader will find this little book beautifully illustrated throughout with drawings in the style of the great illustrator Arthur Rackham. This is one volume that cannot, once it has been picked up, be put down. 2003, Simon and Schuster, Ages 6 to 10, $9.95. Reviewer: Marya Jansen-Gruber
ISBN: 0-689-85936-8
The Spiderwick Chronicles: Book Two - The Seeing Stone
Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black
When we left Jared, Simon and Mallory Grace in Book One of the Spiderwick Chronicles, they were just beginning to adjust to their new life on the Spiderwick Estate. Going to a new school is always hard and Jared is having a particularly hard time of it. Also when we left them in Book One they were just starting to realize the possible full potential of Arthur Spiderwick's "Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You." The strange happenings in the old Spiderwick house seem to have calmed down. This rather dull state of affairs continues until Simon goes to look for his missing cat. While Simon is looking about he is sized by some invisible assailants. Jared is witness to his twin's abduction and doesn't know what to do about this terrible state of affairs. Thankfully for Simon, Thimbletack the Brownie does. What Simon needs is a special tool to help him fight these invisible enemies. Thimbletack calls the tool "the seeing stone." What follows is a remarkable adventure which leaves one alternately breathless, horrified and worried. This is not for the faint of heart, for goblins are about and they have horrible ways and disgusting tastes. Jared and Mallory have to rescue their brother and at the same time they have to dodge all sorts of horrible creatures. They also find themselves making strange alliances and helping others in need besides their brother. Who would have thought that three perfectly ordinary children would be called upon to do so much for so many. We are left, as before at the end of Book One, hanging, and wondering what these three brave, kind, and yet also very human children are going to do next. With a plot full of twists and turns and wonderful illustrations, this is a book that will hook any reader or listener to a bizarre world that exists within our world, a remarkable creation of the authors' imagination. 2003, Simon and Schuster, Ages 6 to 10, $9.95. Reviewer: Marya Jansen-Gruber
ISBN: 0-689-85937-6
The Spiderwick Chronicles: Book Three - Lucinda's Secret
Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black
One would have thought that having the Field Guide to the world of Faerie would mean that one would have the advantage over that world, the answers to its puzzles and mysteries. Unfortunately for Simon, Jared, and Mallory this is not the case. So far they have tangled with a truly pestiferous house boggart, have barely escaped from an encounter with a troll and some extremely nasty goblins, and have a very large and hungry griffin in their carriage house. Not only do they not have any answers, but they don't know what to do with the guide now that they have it. Thimbletack the boggart seems to think that it should be destroyed. Mallory agrees with him on this particular point. Jared, the self appointed keeper of the Guide, cannot bear to think of destroying the book. The children finally decide that their only recourse is to ask the advice of someone who might know something about the Guide and its writer their great uncle Arthur Spiderwick. The only person who might know anything is Arthur's daughter, their Aunt Lucinda. The visit to Aunt Lucinda reveals that the old lady knows all about the Faerie world, indeed she has been touched by it in a terrible way. Jared also discovers that the Guide, which he thought was safe in his backpack, is no longer there. What are the children to do now? They have lost the Guide and have learned that their great uncle Arthur was also lost; the man disappeared seventy years previously. What follows is a bizarre journey and encounters with creatures unlike any that the children have met so far. Once again Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black have created a book that perplexes and carries one into a world where anything can happen. It is also a world where dark and evil creatures live and where children should be careful where they go if they want to survive. Irresistible and enthralling, this is a book that is truly hard to put down. Filled with black ink line drawings and several beautiful full color illustrations, and presented in a journal format, "The Spiderwick Chronicles" will be treasured for years to come. 2003, Simon and Schuster, Ages 8 to 10, $9.95. Reviewer: Marya Jansen-Gruber
ISBN: 0-689-85936-8
Ted
Tony DiTerlizzi
Children enjoy having imaginary friends, so on the morning that large, lovable, raspberry-colored Ted appears in the living room, the young boy accepts Ted just as naturally as if the child next door has come to play. Ted and the boy become fast friends--they do all the mischievous things that young children typically do. They cut the boy's hair, they paint pictures on the walls and they make an indoor swimming pool in Dad's study. Dad is not happy and banishes Ted, so the young boy runs away. He meets Ted under the playground slide where Ted explains how he had been Ned, the secret friend to the boy's father, but had been banished then, too. When the father finds his son, the boy tells him about Ted/Ned and where he can find the Atomic Blaster he hid as a child. The father realizes that he and his son have much in common and need more time with each other. DiTerlizzi's drawings of Ted are humorous, never scary and express the feelings of joy, sadness and hope found in the text. Although the ending is predictable, the story will have broad appeal to young children. 2001, Simon & Schuster Books for Children, $16.00. Ages 5 to 8. Reviewer: Jenny B. (J. B.) Petty
ISBN: 0-689-83235-4
Best Books:
Children's Book Sense 76 Picks, Fall 2001 ; Book Sense 76; United States
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
Georgia Children's Literature Awards, 2003 ; Georgia
Utah Children's Book Awards, 2003 ; Utah
Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale
Holly Black
Despite the "faerie tale" designation in the title, this book starts like a gritty, realistic novel with the protagonist, 16-year-old Kaye Fierch, sitting in a dive, waiting for her mother to finish singing the last set with a band. She flips her cigarette butt into her mother's half full bottle of beer, wondering if her mother is sober enough to notice. The faerie magic in this first scene is so subtle, the reader probably won't catch on until it is mentioned much later in the story. After the man Kaye's mother lives with pulls a knife on her, mother and daughter leave New York City and go back to Kaye's grandmother's home on the New Jersey shore where Kaye spent much of her childhood. There when she was very young, faeries were her friends and now she longs to see them again. She sees an injured person beside the road and ends up saving the life of a faerie named Roibin. Afterward, she is drawn ever more deeply into a dark faerie world woven from imagination and reflecting strongly the grim faerie life described in Celtic mythology. It is an engrossing story, best not read at bedtime by the faint-hearted. This is a first book for Holly Black who spent her early years in a decaying Victorian mansion where her mother fed her a steady diet of ghost stories and faerie tales. 2002, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $16.95. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Janet Crane Barley
ISBN: 0-689-84924-9
Best Books:
Best Books for Young Adults, 2003 ; American Library Association-YALSA; United States
Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, October 28, 2002 ; Cahners; United States
Updated 01/10/06
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