Further, I hope my book will inspire younger generations to discover old childhood delights and ditch the screen for a while! My talented illustrator, Cat Boysen, certainly opens the possibility. Her vibrant, engaging artwork is apt to fully capture a child's interest, as well as your own! Especially those of you who can relate to "the old days"-- each scene depicts familiar experiences we both remembered from our own 1950’s/60’s childhoods.

Additionally, as a Mama, Daddy, Granma, Granpa--as anyone who loves a child, you are likely very concerned about the fluff or nonsensical content, questionable values, and sometimes irreverent or dark themes put forth in many modern children's books. If so, you will be happy to discover a book of substance and truth that will captivate and enlighten your child's imagination. My Dog is Like Me! How is Your Dog Like You? is a relatable story that will teach them about God and introduce them to a simpler, more innocent era.

A little back story: I've owned several dogs over the years, but my last was Blue--a German Shepherd/Australian Shepherd/Blue Heeler mix. (You can see pictures of her in my blog post: "A Dog's Perspective on Life".) Her life inspired me to write our story when I realized we exhibited a lot of the same qualities--I noticed a lot of ways my dog was like me! With this realization, I observed the same about other people and their dogs, equating that with the fact that God indeed created us in His image--like Himself. Here I recognized an opportunity to impart this truth to all children through our story, and it spurred me to action. So in preparation, I began to take photos of people and their dogs that I randomly encountered on the street. By God's design, I “accidentally” met my future illustrator in this way. By then, I'd only written a couple of verses down that laid unfinished for several years on my bedside table. When I finally sat down to write, though, the entire book essentially took only two hours to complete. Once I finished, it needed very little revision. Definitely a ‘God’ thing!

Formatting of the book: First, I know that children love picture books that rhyme so each page of text is basically arranged in alternating verse/stanza format. Secondly, each picture portrays vintage scenes which are reminiscent of illustrations from the old Dick and Jane primary reader series. Thirdly, a two-page “I Love My Dog!” photo feature follows the story, showing pictures and names of dogs and their owners, with short bios cited below them. Lastly, the Epilogue contains an explanation of the Gospel of Christ in Q & A format, followed by illustrator/author photos and bios on the final page. Details: soft cover, 11" x 8.5", 53 pages total.

So, please enjoy!! I pray you will encounter God's love and purpose in a way that will draw you and your family closer to our loving Creator as you share this book with all the children in your life, especially those who love their dogs!

About my wonderful illustrator--CAT BOYSEN is a classically trained artist in the manner of the old masters. She received her bachelor's degree in fine arts from Kendall College of Art and Design, and has worked as an art teacher, graphic designer, and oil painter. The artists Cat studied, such as Caravaggio, William Bouguereau, John William Waterhouse and others, significantly influenced her style, technique, and conceptual understanding. Thus learning from the masters, she utilizes classical methods. This involves under-painting, combined with a glazing technique in oils, "employing light to dispel darkness by working with a single shaft of glistening light while using a limited palette". For the most part, Cat typically creates a unique, old-style appearance in her works, often creating her pieces from personal real-life events. She is also experienced in crafting her own hand-built frames. As a first-time children's book illustrator in My Dog is Like Me? How is Your Dog Like You?, Cat incorporates some of her previous techniques and uses only colored pencils for each drawing. (Amazing to me!) Throughout the book, the images she creates display great imagination, careful attention to detail, and playful humor that will delight both your child and you!

One more important note--A self-publisher’s right-hand man, I certainly could never do what I do without Jason Hines and his amazing team at PRINT MEDIA in Bowling Green, KY. Deservedly, they have been in business for over 30 years, where they consistently endeavor to produce the highest quality printed materials for their customers. As always, I can trust them to go above and beyond every time I need a little extra help for my projects. I so appreciate too, that they ensure I get exactly what I order in a timely way. Clearly, the folks at Print Media are definitely my go-to for reasonable prices, proficiency, and integrity in business! To find their services go to https://www.printmediapress.com/about-us/