Award-winning graphic novel travel series educates and entertains both children and adults
Hong Kong, 19 April 2013 ————– Architect, entertainer and author Tom Schmidt launched Volume Three of the award-winning Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series last night at Bookazine located in Landmark Prince’s in the heart of Hong Kong’s Central business district. With over 100 people in attendance, the Hong Kong launch of the book included book signings by the author in addition to lucky draw giveaways. Guests from various creative, hospitality, finance and travel industries were in attendance, in addition to various media representatives.
Entitled Bumbling Through Hong Kong, this educational graphic novel follows on the heels of the award-winning first two volumes, Bumbling Through Borneo and Bumbling Through Sumatra, in a book series that seeks to promote environmental and cultural awareness through entertaining mysteries and adventures.
Book author and illustrator Schmidt contends, “Hong Kong is one of the most important and fascinating places on the planet right now. In today’s era of population growth, environmental contamination, and the loss of marine and terrestrial habitats, the erosion of the quality of life in the world’s urban areas is a very serious issue — and Hong Kong is a case in point.”
Bumbling Through Hong Kong is an educational yet comical adventure through the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and its many manmade and natural environments. The reader is taken on an entertaining journey of discovery by following the misadventures of a fictitious cast of bumbling characters as they stumble across the cultural traditions, natural assets and historic relics of Hong Kong — including the numerous environmental and social challenges faced by one of the most densely inhabited places on the planet. With over 190 beautifully hand-drawn illustrations, the book’s day-by-day account of the bumbling travelers’ journey through Hong Kong seeks to instill the reader with an environmental and cultural awareness of the territory’s rapidly changing situation. Schmidt contends that the unique graphic format of the book series appeals to both young adults, already accustomed to comic book formats, as well as more mature readers in helping to create environmental awareness.
Hong Kong’s Association for Geoconservation notes that the book is capable of, “presenting Hong Kong in an interesting and casual way that not many travel books can compare. We are impressed and thank the author for introducing the normally ignored world of geological heritage of Hong Kong.” Greenpeace HK adds that, “Hong Kong has amazed the world through its rapid global interaction, efficiency and cosmopolitan environment. However, behind such speed and convenience, Hong Kong’s alarming per capita emissions rank second globally, if emissions from imported goods and their transportation are included. Bumbling Through Hong Kong does not provided tips of where to shop or dine out, but exposes the true cost of being a metropolis and the vivid urban pollution that residents and tourists face on a daily basis. A good snapshot of another face of Hong Kong!”
The Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series is published by Kakibubu Media Limited and is distributed throughout Asia by Far East Media Limited Distributors and MPH Distributors Sdn Bhd. The series is also available for international purchase through Amazon.com.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tom Schmidt is an architect, award-winning writer, illustrator, musician, and part-time stand-up comedian. Born in the United States, following his studies of Architecture and Environmental Design at the University of Colorado, his wanderlust has carried him through various bumbling adventures in over 70 countries around the world, while based in the Asia-Pacific region. Schmidt is a licensed US architect, a LEED® Accredited Professional, a founding member of the Hong Kong Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and a member of the American Society of Architectural Illustrators (ASAI). He has resided in Hong Kong since 1997, and is founder of Sepia Design Consultants Limited, an architectural consultancy specializing in sustainable hospitality design.
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