Storytime and Adoption Event

 

Book Trailer for "Rocky"

 

New Release---Rocky: The True Story of a Dog Who Adopted Humans Nobody Else Wanted

 

Rocky and a Girl with a Curl

Book Review of The Little Labradoodle-Puppy Pickup Day

The Little Labradoodle: Puppy Pickup Day by April Cox is a captivating story of friendship, kindness, hope, and love. In this beautifully illustrated children's picture book, young readers can follow eight labradoodle puppies as they are getting ready for their fur-ever home. The readers can also witness all the funny things the smallest of the puppies can get into. The little labradoodle delightfully takes on the world, but at the same time worries that he will miss an opportunity to meet a loving family. This rhyming book is definitely a wonderful read-aloud with colorful illustrations and engaging text. 

Interview With an Author and Entrepreneur, April Cox

April M.  Cox,  an  Author, and  Entrepreneur who has always enjoyed creative writing, rediscovered children’s picture books while reading to her grandchildren.  Her little labradoodle often sat with them and was the inspiration for this book series. Little  Labradoodle Publishing was founded in 2018 with a passion to publish beautifully illustrated books that children would love and parents would appreciate.  Little Labradoodle books provide underlying themes like gratitude, kindness, friendship, diversity, self-acceptance and inclusion. When her corporate position was eliminated, she decided NOT to look for another position and instead is dedicating 100% of her time to Little Labradoodle Publishing.  April and her husband knew their expenses were too high, so they made some sacrifices, sold their home and have reduced expenses by 75% in order to best position themselves for success.  She is ALL IN!!!! April can be contacted at april@thelittlelabradoodle.com  More information about her and her work can be found on her Website, Amazon Page; GoodReads; Facebook; Instagram, and Twitter. 

What inspired you to write The Little Labradoodle?

It started as a passion project for my grandchildren. Over the past few years reading along with them I fell in love with picture books all over again. There’s nothing like having a child climb up on your lap and snuggle in close to read together. My little labradoodle, Brady, would jump up with us and listen too. After awhile we started making up stories together about our little puppy and that’s how the idea for The Little Labradoodle series was born. 

What is your favorite scene in your book?

Oh wow. That’s a hard one. There are so many beautiful illustrations that Len Smith has created.  If I had to pick one, I would pick the image on page 24 when the little labradoodle puppy is staring into his water dish at his reflection looking so insecure and concerned about the family he was getting ready to meet. He worries that his family won’t like him because of his limitations or his small size. The way Len captures the emotions of the puppy is amazing! 

How long did it take you to write this book?

A very long time! When I started I was working 60 to 80 hour weeks in the Corporate world so it was slow-going at first.  The manuscript went through many revisions - more than a dozen in fact.  I would say it was a “work in progress” for about 6 months. 

What books and authors have most influenced you?

I love the humor of Dr. Seuss, the lessons of The Berenstein Bears and the characters in the Winnie the Pooh. Those were some of my favorites to read with my kids. 

If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

Great question!  I have a non-fiction story inside me waiting to come out about my childhood, the challenges and victories along the way.  I go back and forth between whether I want to write for adults or make it a book for young adults (12 and up). Time will tell!

Do you have a current work in progress?

I am working with two amazing authors.  The first is Johnny Ray Moore who is a bestselling author already for his board book on Martin Luthor King.  He has written a book called, “The Night I Met the Zooney Goons” which is a humorous story about visitors from another planet.  Kids will really love that one.

Second is author, Lindsay Achtman who has a story titled “I hope it’s a Puppy!”.  I don’t want to divulge too much information without talking with Lindsay first. But it’s another book that we are really excited to publish under Little Labradoodle Publishing. 

I also have a few stories in need of further development for The Little Labradoodle series and am trying to find time to choose the next one in the series and get that manuscript completed. 

But first, I need to get Puppy Pickup Day launched!

Sneak Peek of The Little Labradoodle:

Well, we have a sneak peek on our KickStarter page.  If you go to KickStarter.com and search for "Puppy Pickup Day" you can find the campaign.  I’m sure there will be a link posted here as well. 

I feel so strongly about what we have created with Puppy Pickup Day that I put the entire book as a downloadable link in PDF form.  There is also a FREE weekend on Amazon for the eBook, so starting on Friday you will be able to grab the eBook absolutely FREE.  

Our KickStarter campaign will fund the printing of hardcover books and creation of gift sets that will include an 8” plush from Douglas, a 6 x 9 signed 1st edition hardcover book along with a companion coloring book. To top it off it will be in a beautifully customized canvas book bag for the kids.  It makes a great gift for the holidays, but we can’t bring it to our customers without help.  We need support to make it happen and we have made some great rewards available to our backers that help make this dream come true!                                                        

   

                                                                                                    

Interview with Illustrator of Rumtum the Sailor, Mary Manning

                                                      Rumtum the Sailor by Kyle Duffy, Illustrated by Mary Manning  

Illustrator bio

As an illustrator/character designer, I've worked with numerous publishers and related industries over the years.  In my free time, I'm also dipping into 2D hand drawn animation and broadening my skills as an artist.  You can view Mary Manning's work at her Webpage

Do you have a preferred medium to work in?

I only work digitally these days.  It's much more convenient and time saving than traditional.

How long did it take you to convey the essence of  Rumtum the Sailor through your illustrations?

No time really.  You get a good sense of the character(s) when you read the story or manuscript. That's a main part of the illustrators' job.

What is your favorite piece of work in your portfolio?

Oh boy ... I don't know.  I don't think I have a favorite because in each one I see where I would have maybe done something differently ;)

Are you working on any new projects?

Always.  And if I'm not, I'll use it to do some personal work.



Special note: Ramtum the Sailor is being launched on Kickstarter