Move over ‘Godfather:’ Now there’s ‘Gullfather,’ a comedy story called ‘Sopranos for kids’
Jeff Sikaitis was watching his kids play at a Connecticut park when he found himself entranced by some seagulls.
First, he observed a seagull engaged in a standoff with a child. He later watched as a flock conspired in a “coordinated effort to steal some snacks.”
“I remember uttering under my breath, ‘it’s like this is a mini mafia,’” Sikaitis said.
Later that night, he learned through research that seagulls display a lot of mob-like traits.
That comparison would become the basis of his first book, “The Gullfather: Birdsy Seagull: Vol 1 — A Seahawk Situation.”
Written with his creative partner, Jake Wheeler, Sikaitis said the book it a sort of “Sopranos for kids.”
The 92-page book was released in June and follows Birdsy Seagull, dubbed “The Gullfather,” and his flock as they try to rule the boardwalk in fictional Shoretown.
His crew includes scrappy Joey “One Wing” Grella, charming Sammy “Vinny” Gullian, glamorous Birdabella and enforcer Anthony “Quack Quack” Esposito.
Seagull wants a flock that’s willing to do anything to hang onto its turf, but finds his crew is often distracted by snacks, naps and hijinks.
Sikaitis, like many, is a big fan of television, movies and other art based around La Cosa Nostra.
“Obviously there’s just been great entertainment and shows,” he said.
He also said seagulls are the perfect bird to portray such a group, but in a way that is child-friendly.
Sikaitis said seagulls can be brash and bullying, and aren’t intimidated by humans. He also noted that they may seem like they’re moving on their own, but often work in coordinated efforts as they move around the beach.
That doesn’t mean the plans always work out, though, making room for comedy.
The book is not the first collaboration for Sikaitis and Wheeler. The two have been creative partners for 20 years, developing commercials, web shorts and other content.
They made the critically acclaimed “Good God,” a series of web shorts for Comedy Central that captures God trying to run a dysfunctional office in Heaven.
Families might be more familiar with the duo’s “Oddfish,” a series of creative visual interpretations of fish.
When Sikaitis and Wheeler began developing Birdsy Seagull’s storyline, they decided it would make for a good children’s book.
“What about if you could make a series for kids that was about this flock of seagulls that ruled this shore town?” Sikatis said.
The book has received positive reviews so far, including ratings above four-and-a-half stars on Amazon and Goodreads. The feedback includes parents who enjoy sharing the books with their kids.
“Obviously the first focus is kid-first and we want to make sure we went through a lot of effort and intent around making this connect with young readers,” Sikaitis said. “But if you look at the kid space, it’s an interesting dynamic in that the parent is usually the buyer.”
Sikaitis and Wheeler are already developing three more books in the series, with new problems and new seagull enemies that include flamingos.
They also think the books could turn into an animated series.
Sikaitis said his own kids — ages 6, 4 and 2 — enjoy the books, but are too young to realize the story originated while they were playing at the park.
Still, he said he hopes his works inspire them to play with their own ideas as they get older.
“My wife and I always talk about how we want a house where creativity lives and breathes,” he said.