Let’s welcome Marcia Goldman today at Best Dog Books, a blog that features interviews with authors who’ve written a story for kids with a key canine character.
Lola Goes To Work: A Nine-To-Five Therapy Dog
Publisher: Creston Books
Publishing date: July 2013
Genre: picture book
Targeted age: 3-7yrs
Photographer: Marcia Goldman
AOB: Who is your key dog character and what kind of dog is he/she? Tell us a little more about him/her.
* Lola is a 5 pound Yorkshire Terrier. She is 5 years old and has been a therapy dog for a couple of years. She is a little dog with a very big personality.
AOB: In 70 words or less, provide a succinct plot description of your story.
*Meet Lola, a little terrier with a big job. Children will identify with the feisty Lola as she struggles going to school, passing tests, and finally achieving her Big Dog dream. If Lola can make it in a world of Great Danes and Labradors, so can anybody who’s feeling like a runt.
Reviews or blurbs you wish to share:
“My mom said: ‘If Lola can do it, you can, too.’ Thanks, Lola.”
-Bobo
Amy Tan’s 4-month -old Yorkie
“Lola Goes to Work is a lively and adorable introduction to the fascinating world of working dogs. Children will love reading about Lola as she shares what it takes to become a therapy dog, providing comfort to those in need.”
-Michael Oakleaf, Library Media Specialist
“Lola is the hardest worker I know!”
-Lassie
“See Lola. See Lola work hard. Lola is a hard worker.”
-Spot
“Good dog!”
-Anonymous
AOB: What inspired you to write this story?
Lola and I were visiting preschool classrooms for children on the autistic spectrum. We would join circle time and I would read to the children while Lola sat on my lap. I looked for a book with a dog that looked like Lola, but I could not find one, so I decided to create my own. My first book was just about all of the things Lola liked and didn’t like. I am always asked how Lola became a therapy dog, so I decided to have Lola tell the story.
AOB: What was the biggest challenge you had writing your story? How did you overcome it?
* Lola doesn’t mind getting her picture taken, but some of the poses were a little more challenging. What works best is string cheese!!
AOB: What other YA/MG books have you written? Do any of them feature a key dog character? If so, which ones?
*I have written 10 books and they all feature Lola. Every story has a message. Lola Goes To The Doctor, Lola’s First Chanukah, Lola Gets A Baby Brother are a few of the titles. Lola and Bear is about friendship while Lola Says Goodbye is about understanding death. These are all works in progress, as Lola and I learn more about telling stories together.
AOB: What kind of story can we expect next from you? Is it about a dog? If so, what is it about?
*We are still deciding which Lola book will be next, but I’m thinking Lola Goes to the Doctor.
AOB: What else would you like us to know about you or your story?
*Lola is such a good little companion, whether it is going off to work together, or patiently letting me create these books. It has been a joy creating these books about her.
AOB: Can you remember the first book that made an impact on you? And why?
*I honestly don’t remember my favorite as a child, but reading The Little Engine That Could to my children was always my favorite. I liked the can-do spirit and the positive message. In some ways, Lola is my little engine that could!
AOB: Where can readers go to find out more information about you and/or your books?
*We’re working on a website now, but Lola already has her own facebook page and there’s more information on the Creston Books website, and on the Creston Books facebook page.
Thank you for joining us today at Best Dog Books, Marcia Goldman!
For other great books about dogs, check out 101 Best Dog Books for Kids.
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