Dash and Zoom: Little Miss Sneakypants
Written by Susan R. Stoltz
Illustrated by Melissa Bailey
Ages 1-5 | 32 Pages
Publisher: Lyric & Stone Publishing | ISBN-13: 978-1733759861
Publisher’s Synopsis: Dash and Zoom are really good friends. But when Dash takes things that don’t belong to her, even Zoom’s ball, there’s a problem to be solved because not only is Dash taking things that don’t belong to her, but she’s also hurting Zoom’s feelings.
Kids often have a difficult time understanding that they shouldn’t take things that don’t belong to them. When we don’t rescue kids from mistakes and instead focus on the solution, it’s an opportunity to help them learn to make good choices. The illustrations are extremely engaging and it’s always fun to see how many things you can find under that precarious chair.
Dash And Zoom: Little Miss Sneakypants is written for young children who are learning social norms. It exemplifies good decision-making and helps kids solve problems rather than being ‘in trouble’ for making a mistake. If children are approached with the opportunity to fix what is wrong without fear of anger it often contributes to good decision-making skills all throughout their lives. These two dogs are so engaging that children will want to read the book again and again.
Available for purchase on Amazon or Bookshop.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Susan Stoltz is a Jack Russell mom and author of 13 children’s books. An avid gardener and stained glass artist, she spends most early mornings in the garden. When she’s not writing, she’s either caring for and playing with her well-trained and highly energetic dogs, creating mosaics and stained glass, reading, and teaching. She occasionally cleans the kitchen!
Susan lives in Arizona with Dash and Zoom and is well known for eating chocolate cake for breakfast.
For more information, visit susanrstoltz.com or https://www.instagram.com/susanrstoltz_author.
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
Melissa Bailey is owned by two poodles and is an award-winning illustrator of over 50 children’s books. She’s also an author and loves dreaming up story ideas while being walked by Biscuit and Archie. They are training her to take them on 3 or more walks a day!
Melissa lives with her family in rural Michigan, which is perfect for walking.
For more information, visit mbaileyart.com or https://www.instagram.com/mbaileyart.
AUTHOR INTERVIEW
Life Is What It's Called - What inspired you to write Dash and Zoom: Little Miss Sneakypants?
Susan Stoltz - After 7 years of writing children’s books about wildlife and conservation I felt it was time to try something new. I’m a firm believer in helping small children learn to make good choices, something I have seen lacking in today’s youth. What’s tough in today’s society is teaching that good choices don’t always result in getting what you want, but rather, what is right. Learning this skill at an early age will help with critical thinking throughout a lifetime.
Life Is What It's Called - Do you own dogs like Dash and Zoom?
Susan Stoltz - I own Dash and Zoom. They are two hilarious Jack Russell Terriers that delight my life everyday with their cleverness and mischief! Dash has been a sock thief since she was very young, and her adeptness at hiding them is beyond measure. I’ve found them in Christmas tree stands, under recliners, behind sofa cushions, and recently four of the missing socks came up when the plumber had to fix a backed-up toilet! Zoom, on the other hand, wants nothing to do with being sneaky, but she has her own problems. Her upcoming book is entitled: Dash and Zoom: Little Miss Barksalot! Because she barks…. A lot!
Life Is What It's Called - What will children like most about Dash and Zoom: Little Miss Sneakypants?
Susan Stoltz - Young children will love the illustrations. They actually tell the story completely without words at all. Young readers will enjoy being able to read the simple text and add to the experience.
Life Is What It's Called - What will kids learn from this book?
Susan Stoltz - My hope is that this book will help teach young children some problem-solving skills in order to make good choices. Children that are guided through how to make good choices to solve mistakes learn critical thinking rather than fear about making mistakes. This is so important for future decision making during their lifetime. Mistakes can be used as learning tools rather than for shaming or punishing.
Life Is What It's Called - What are some kid-friendly activities that will go along with this book?
Susan Stoltz - Problem-solving games are an excellent gateway to making good decisions. Games like pick-up sticks, as simple as it is, makes the player ‘consider’ their next move. And if it’s incorrect there are immediate consequences, another important lesson. However, critical thinking and decision-making skills can be taught with simple things such as choosing what to wear. Remind them of the weather, the event – are they going to a park to play or to school? This enforces thinking carefully and decision-making based on their critical thinking. Provide the opportunity for them to make a decision and develop those cognitive skills. Musical chairs is good for on-the-spot decision making, a simple card game called ‘Memory’ requires a child, not only to remember where cards are, but to decide to choose the correct card to win the game. All of these choices, simple for an adult, are key to developing the skills to make better decisions later in life.
Life Is What It's Called - What makes Dash and Zoom: Little Miss Sneakypants different from the others on the market?
Susan Stoltz - First, they are real dogs. Their picture is inside the front flap. This makes them much more tangible and effective to small children who know, that although the story may be make believe, the characters in it are not.
Second, it’s not simply a narrative. It has audience interaction, with Dash listening to the narrative and inviting children to give the correct answer.
Last, you can’t beat cute dogs in any situation!
Life Is What It's Called - How do you see this book being used in a classroom setting?
Susan Stoltz - For young children, the interaction in the book invites conversation. Questions such as “What do you think Dash should do?” “How do you think Zoom feels when Dash takes her ball?” “How would you solve this problem?” invites discussion, storytelling, and conversation.
Life Is What It's Called - What writing projects are you working on next?
Susan Stoltz - Besides Dash and Zoom: Little Miss Barksalot, I’m currently working on a set of workbooks aimed at teaching science skills, critical thinking skills, research and geography skills, etc. They are aimed at schools and homeschools and are easy for parents and teachers to utilize and measure learning success on each page. These workbooks are also lots of fun for students because they can draw their favorite animals, dinosaurs, bugs, and still be learning without actually being in a classroom setting. These learning ‘notes’ are available for K-2 and 3-5.
GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win a signed hardcover copy of Dash and Zoom: Little Miss Sneakypants and a Dash and Zoom metal lunchbox
One (1) winner receives:
- A copy of Dash and Zoom: Little Miss Sneakypants, signed by Susan R. Stoltz and Paw-tographed by Dash and Zoom
- A Dash and Zoom metal lunchbox
- A copy of Dash and Zoom: Little Miss Sneakypants, signed by Susan R. Stoltz and Paw-tographed by Dash and Zoom
Dash and Zoom: Book Giveaway
This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Susan R. Stoltz.
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