Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Biography: Aaron Hanania
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Restaurant Reviews
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Radio, Podcast, Books
  • News Wire
  • Hanania on Tiktok
  • Archive 2004-2013
  • Toggle search form
  • Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge
    Village of Orland Park Board Meeting Brief for November 2, 2026 Government
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Illinois expands property tax breaks for veterans to include World War II vets Cook County
  • Cook County Building
    Cook County Board of Review Opens Fourth Group of Townships for 2026 Property Tax Appeal Season Cook County
  • National Taxpayers Union logo
    New Data Shows Voters Rebuked Costly Executive Tariffs in Senate Elections Business
  • Paul Vallas
    Paul Vallas warns Chicago school board and mayoral elections are being dominated by wealthy political insiders Chicago
  • Jeffery M Leving photo
    Leving Fought for Client’s Liberty and His Future and Won Dads' Rights
  • Cook County Treasurer Ad
    Change in law lets tax breaks automatically renew for homeowners with disabilities Blogger
  • Father and daughter. Courtesy of Jeffery M. Leving LLC
    Leving Reunited Dad and Daughter and Protected Their Future Dads' Rights
  • Former Congressman Bill Lipinski and columnist Ray Hanania are joined by former Chicago Schools CEO Paul Vallas on Two Guys on Politics Oct. 17, 2026
    Paul Vallas Blasts Chicago Teachers Union, Questions Billionaire Influence in Mayoral Race During “Two Guys on Politics” Podcast Bill Lipinski
  • 10-15-26 Leving photo
    Leving Rescued Dad’s Daughter from Reported Violent Home and Gave Her Hope Dads' Rights
  • Maria Pappas autographs her new momoir "Maria the Pappas" at a book signing at the Romanian Heritage Center Thursday Oct. 8, 2026
    Maria Pappas shares emotional stories of family, faith and perseverance during Romanian Heritage Center book signing Books & Films
  • Cook County Treasurer Ad
    The Cook County Treasurer and the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans Attend Flag Raising and Kickoff Event Ahead of Columbus Day Parade Culture
  • Illinois Principles Association
    Illinois Principals Association to host “Unlocking Potential” conference in October Education
  • Jim Chilsen CUB spokesman on Peoples Gas rate hike
    CUB urges State Regulators to lower Peoples Gas rate hike of $66 million Energy
  • Two Guys on Politics Podcast with former Congressman Bill Lipinski and former Chicago City Hall reporter Ray Hanania
    Lipinski and Hanania analyze MidTerm elections, and Congressional battle between Patty Garcia and Chris Getty in Video Podcast Bill Lipinski
The Unbelievable Ultrafrog vs. Nutsfuratu, the Giant Alien Vampire Squirrel from Planet Schnark

Local Author Launches Wildly Imaginative Middle-Grade Adventure

Posted on June 15, 2026June 15, 2026 By News Editor No Comments on Local Author Launches Wildly Imaginative Middle-Grade Adventure
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  



Click here to subscribe FREE to Ray Hanania's Columns

Local Author Launches Wildly Imaginative Middle-Grade Adventure

“The Unbelievable Ultrafrog vs. Nutsfuratu, the Giant Alien Vampire Squirrel from Planet Schnark” Blends Humor, Heart and Out-of-This-World Chaos by Tinley Park author Jon Bigness

Young readers looking for outrageous fun, unforgettable characters and nonstop adventure have a new hero to cheer for in The Unbelievable Ultrafrog vs. Nutsfuratu, the Giant Alien Vampire Squirrel from Planet Schnark, a new middle-grade novel by local author Jon Bigness.

Packed with cosmic calamity, laugh-out-loud moments and an unlikely amphibious superhero, the book delivers a fast-paced adventure aimed at middle-grade readers who love imaginative storytelling and big, cinematic action.

At the center of the story is Ultrafrog – an extraordinary frog hero who must battle the eccentric Duke Nemesio Nutsfuratu, a gigantic alien vampire squirrel from the bizarre and mysterious Planet Schnark. Along the way, readers encounter a host of absurd characters, kooky predicaments and a story that celebrates courage, friendship and embracing what makes you different.

“This book is meant to be pure fun,” said Bigness.

The Unbelievable Ultrafrog vs. Nutsfuratu, the Giant Alien Vampire Squirrel from Planet Schnark
The Unbelievable Ultrafrog vs. Nutsfuratu, the Giant Alien Vampire Squirrel from Planet Schnark by author Jon Bigness

“I wanted to create the kind of story that kids would stay up late reading under the covers – something funny, weird, adventurous and completely unhinged.”

Inspired by 1970s Saturday morning cartoons and classic vampire stories, The Unbelievable Ultrafrog vs. Nutsfuratu, the Giant Alien Vampire Squirrel from Planet Schnark is designed to appeal to reluctant readers as well as passionate young book lovers – not to mention Gen Xers who fondly appreciate 80s nostalgia.

The novel is now available in paperback on Amazon.

About the Author
Jon Bigness was born on the Southwest Side of Chicago during the infamous Blizzard of 1967. After graduating summa cum laude from Columbia College Chicago with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism, he worked as a staff writer for The Wall Street Journal and Chicago Tribune. Jon also graduated from The Second City Training Center. He moved on to a career in public affairs. Jon currently resides in the southwest suburbs of Chicago and enjoys weightlifting, hiking and squirrel-watching. The Unbelievable Ultrafrog vs. Nutsfuratu, the Giant Alien Vampire Squirrel from Planet Schnark is his first published novel.


Click here to subscribe FREE to Ray Hanania's Columns


newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
News Editor
News Editor
News Editor at Suburban Chicagoland
Managing Editor and News Editor for stories published in SuburbanChicagoland
News Editor
Latest posts by News Editor (see all)
  • Local Fashion store AKIRA to feature release of popular annual Maria Pappas Calendar for 2027 - August 30, 2026
  • Hastings on Illinois advancing Alyssa’s Law: ‘School Safety Isn’t abstract — it’s personal’ - August 14, 2026
  • Mayor Brady welcomes attendees at Bedford Park Clearing-Industrial Association’s 2026 Annual Golf Outing - August 7, 2026
NPV: 432
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
Books & Films, Entertainment, Features, News, NewsWire, Tinley Park Tags:adventure, author, book, children's book, children's novel, Duke Nemesio Nutsfuratu, gigantic alien, Jon Bigness, novel, the Giant Alien Vampire Squirrel from Planet Schnark, The Unbelievable Ultrafrog vs. Nutsfuratu, Tinley Park, Ultrafrog

Post navigation

Previous Post: Podcaster Marc Sims interviews Arab News columnist/writer Ray Hanania
Next Post: Kids camp teaches young children basics of fire safety

Related Posts

  • US Attorney General Federal Charges, Crime, Police, charges
    Former Summit Police Chief John Kosmowski sentenced for corruption Crime
  • Attorney and WVON Radio Talk Show host Kimberley Egonmwan. Photo courtesy of WVIN
    Egonmwan calls for City to protect Black women from violence Chicago
  • Congresswoman Marie Newman, 3rd District Illinois
    Reps Newman & Salazar propose benefits to Panama Canal Veterans exposed to Agent Orange Federal
  • Spam and Phishing site posted by Shaun Trista. BEWARE and DO NOT CLICK this link. Block him and these websites on your Facebook Page
    BEWARE: Shaun Trista and FlowCode and Flow.Page are phishing sites NewsWire
  • Typewriter. Photo by Andrew Seaman courtesy of unsplash
    District 230 students receive journalism awards Cook County
  • 36th Ward Alderman Gilbert Villegas, Chairman of the City Council Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development
    Chicago Alderman Villegas calls for probe into city targeting of Arab businesses Chicago

More Related Articles

Voting sticker from Chicagoland election. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania. Vote. Election Race heats up for 24th House News
Men shopping in a shopping mall. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Men turn into zombie customers during last-minute holiday rush Baby Boomers
Jackie Joyner-Kersee 2014 Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Former Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee to be Grand Marshall for State Fair parade Events
The Zappa Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is available now to stream and will be released in a variety of physical formats in 2021. Photo courtesy of Pr News Wire Release of Alex Winter’s highly acclaimed documentary on Frank Zappa, “Zappa,” Entertainment
Fenwick ends Nazareth’s season, 28-17 News
Politics at Moraine Valley? News

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID

Links to the Latest News by other media that is worth reading with attribution

Order from Amazon

Maria The Pappas memoir, book cover
VISIT: MariaThePappas.com
Arab Center Ad
Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas

CourageousThought.com

Now that Voters have spoken, Democrats must hear the real message and fix themselves

Now that Voters have spoken, Democrats must hear the real message and fix themselves

04 Nov 2026

The Democrats didn’t win Tuesday. Trump, who said vote like he is on the ballot, lost. Now that Trump has been neutered,...

Don’t let the big money special interests control Chicago’s school board elections

Don’t let the big money special interests control Chicago’s school board elections

03 Nov 2026

Big money doesn’t help to educate the public about candidates and their issues. The wealthy people pump millions into el...

Halloween for today’s kids just isn’t the same as it was for us

Halloween for today’s kids just isn’t the same as it was for us

01 Nov 2026

Today’s Halloween is an example of how the world has changed significantly, and the younger generations don’t even reali...

For Pritzker, money trumps the poor, the Middle Class, and even controversy

For Pritzker, money trumps the poor, the Middle Class, and even controversy

30 Oct 2026

Schlemiels like us average hard working taxpayers are not expected to understand the real factor fueling the egos and th...

Most candidates in MidTerm elections are not addressing the real issues facing voters

Most candidates in MidTerm elections are not addressing the real issues facing voters

21 Oct 2026

Candidates are debating Trump, ICE and partisan politics but are not speaking about the real issues burdening taxpayers;...

New Israel Fund leader urges Jews and Palestinians to unite against extremism, condemns Israeli government actions in Gaza

New Israel Fund leader urges Jews and Palestinians to unite against extremism, condemns Israeli government actions in Gaza

21 Oct 2026

Mickey Gitzin, acting CEO of the New Israel Fund, says peace requires recognizing the suffering of both Palestinians & I...

Click to visit CourageousThought.com

Courageous Thought Syndicate Columns

Subscribe to Ray Hanania's column graphic

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • The-Kings-Pawn-book-front-cover.jpg

Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio

Restaurant Reviews

Photo: Sullivan's Steakhouse Lobster Tempura
Restaurant Reviews
  • NEWS
  • Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge
    Village of Orland Park Board Meeting Brief for November 2, 2026
    November 6, 2026
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Illinois expands property tax breaks for veterans to include World War II vets
    November 6, 2026
  • Cook County Building
    Cook County Board of Review Opens Fourth Group of Townships for 2026 Property Tax Appeal Season
    November 5, 2026
  • National Taxpayers Union logo
    New Data Shows Voters Rebuked Costly Executive Tariffs in Senate Elections
    November 5, 2026
  • Paul Vallas
    Paul Vallas warns Chicago school board and mayoral elections are being dominated by wealthy political insiders
    October 31, 2026
Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO RAY HANANIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS


Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns
UpScroll
Threads

Creative Commons License
All work on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source. Some photos published with permission from Zemanta and Wikipedia.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme