Review Fix Exclusive: J.F. Fox Talks ‘Friday Night Wrestlefest’

Review Fix chats with author J.F. Fox, who lets us know what makes her new children’s book, “Friday Night Wrestlefest” is a perfect one to get your kids into the fun that is pro wrestling.

Review Fix: How did this project start for you?

J.F. Fox: I’m a mom to two boys who love to wrestle, especially with their dad. They were constantly making up funny wrestling moves (for example, “the pizza slice”) and characters (like “Lightning Eagle”). We got into costumes. My four year old asked for tights. The whole bit. I saw what a great way it was for them to be physical and get some energy out—yet safe enough because a parent is participating and guiding the action. Kids, and boys especially, are often being forced to be still. I think they need to be given some healthy outlets for getting those wiggles out. I saw how wrestling was flexing their creativity muscles too—the characters, the names, the costumes. It’s so imaginative and colorful. So, that’s really what sparked the idea for me—watching how my kids played when they wrestled and how great it was for them. We can learn a lot from kids if we really stop to look at how and why they are doing what they do.  

Review Fix: Are you a big wrestling fan? Why make a kid’s story based on it?

Fox: I was a child of the ‘80s. Back then, it felt like wrestling was just ingrained in the fabric of pop culture. Hulk Hogan was a household name and his Rock N’ Wrestling cartoon was on TV. Cyndi Lauper had Captain Lou Albano in her “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” video, and the original Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling were paving the way for mainstream female wrestling. The thing that always appealed to me and still does—and the reason I think it translates so well into books—is that it’s really a form of storytelling. There are fun characters and plot lines, twists and turns. Good guys and bad guys, and double-crossing. It’s like a Shakespeare storyline, but in a ring. I wanted to infuse those creative elements, of both wrestling and story, in FRIDAY NIGHT WRESTLEFEST. I am also a fan of the new GLOW series on Netflix—a little guilty mom pleasure and 80s nostalgia after an exhausting day mothering two boys.

Review Fix: What makes your story special?

Fox: Our story is special because (A) I think it’s just tons of fun and (B) it taps into so many universal things for kids—the joy of wrestling, quality family time/fun family rituals, sibling relationships, imaginative play, working together, bedtime (not wanting to go to bed), you name it. I think most kids can relate to all or some of that.    

Review Fix: What was it like to work together?

Fox: Can I say it was the ultimate tag team? This book really was as fun as it looks to create. Everything was truly a pleasure—from working with my awesome editor Kate who got the vision right away, to seeing Micah’s art come to life. He added so many fun details to the visual story—and the colors, just amazing! I think it all sort of perfectly captures the energy of family, wrestling, and imagination.

Review Fix: What’s next?

Fox: I won’t say too much just yet, but we’re taking things out of the ring and onto the speedway. Buckle up.

Review Fix: Anything else you’d like to add?

Fox: Thanks so much for helping us share our story and reach out to wrestling fans of all ages!