Today I welcome Brent Suter to Best Dog Books, a blog that features interviews with authors who’ve written a canine story for kids or young adults. Brent is not only a Harvard graduate, but also a left-handed relief pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. He is now adding author to his credentials with the debut of his first picture book. In other words, he’s won the genetic lottery.
Brent is here to talk about The Binky Bandit which is illustrated by Jayden Ellsworth and published by Orange Hat Publishing for kids up to 8 and will launch on June 6, 2022. The Binky Bandit is available wherever you can buy books. If you’d like to purchase a signed copy, you can do so by ordering online from the publisher.
Best Dog Books: Who is your key dog character and what kind of dog is he/she?
My dog, Wally, is the main character in the book. He is a mini golden doodle.
L-R: Wally, Brent, Erin and Liam
Best Dog Books: Tell us about your story.
Wally has the perfect life until a human baby brother comes home and takes lots of attention. As his jealousy rages on, he begins destroying his brother’s plastic binkies, and lots of them. Eventually, guilt for the family and environmental damage he’s causing sets in and he then does something he couldn’t before!
Best Dog Books: What inspired you to write this story?
My dog destroying Liam’s binkies was so funny to me that I decided to write Liam a poem about it so we could remember this hilarious phase in our lives.
Brent with newborn second son, Layton
Best Dog Books: What was the biggest challenge you had writing your story? How did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge I had was matching the rhyme and rhythm scheme with what I wanted the story to say.
Best Dog Books: What kind of story can we expect next from you? Is it about a dog? If so, what can you tell us about it?
My guess is the next book would be a sequel when baby brother number 2 comes home. He’s due any day now!
Brent in the locker room with THE BINKY BANDIT
Best Dog Books: What else would you like us to know about you or your story?
The whole writing and publishing process has been so much fun!
Best Dog Books: Can you remember the first book that made an impact on you? Why?
Dr. Suess books, specifically The Lorax, were always some of my favorites because they were funny and had great messages!
Best Dog Books: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
I would say let your heart write the story. Doing that helps words fall onto the page and makes the whole process so much more enjoyable.
Brent in action!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Brent Suter led Major League Baseball with twelve relief wins in the 2021 season. Outside of baseball, Brent is a graduate of Harvard University, with a degree in Environmental Science and Public Policy, and is an outspoken advocate for conservation efforts with Players for the Planet, an organization of professional athletes who aim to make positive environmental change. He resides in his hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio, with his wife Erin, his sons Liam and Layton, and of course, Wally, the inspiration for this book.
If you’d like to learn more about Brent Suter, you can follow the author on Twitter {@bruter24} or Instagram {@brentsuter35}. To get a true picture of just who Brent Suter is, check out his ultimate highlight reel done with some humor. Or if you’d like some entertainment, be sure to search for Brent on YouTube. My favorite is one of his many impersonation videos. Brent is the kind of role model the world needs more of. Shout out to his mom and dad for raising an amazing son!
Shirley and Mike Suter with grandson, Liam
Thank you Brent for joining us at Best Dog Books. Congratulations on the launch of your first book. We look forward to reading it and watching what you do next!
For more best dog book titles, check out 101 Best Dog Books for Kids.
