Ode to a Pug
Written by Jill Rosen
Illustrated by Stephanie Rohr
Ages 4+ | 32 Pages
Publisher: AM Ink Publishing (2024) ISBN-13: 978-1-958842-24-9
Publisher’s Book Summary: A precocious pug delights in shenanigans which drive her frazzled owner to declare she will give her pup away!
Laugh along with the snorting, snoring, and gaseous clown of the canine world as its owner struggles to reign in the messes and mayhem of a new addition. But there is nothing that a few licks and cuddles can’t fix, right?
A true delight that any family can relate to, Ode to a Pug is full of heart… and a lot of slobber.
Available for purchase on: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookshop.org.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jill Rosen is a career marketer and advertiser who lives with two kids, three dogs, two cats, one bird, and a former stand-up comic and Princeton sketch-comedy writing husband. She doesn’t need to go far for comedic inspiration or advice!
Through her brand management work, Jill’s early recognition of, and appreciation for, powerful writing and artistic design only flourished. She is a seasoned workshop facilitator and strategic healthcare consultant specializing in the areas of mental health and infertility.
Jill was inspired to begin writing her own stories by her two boys, both avid readers. Now Jill can’t wait to share them with all the young readers out there.
For more information, visit: https://odetoapug.com/ or https://www.instagram.com/odetoapug/.
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
Steph Rohr is a French Award-winning children’s book illustrator who earned a distinction from ECV Art School in Paris. She is fond of anything silly, funny, wacky, daft, and colorful. A freelance Illustrator & Art Director, Steph has been working in London in publishing and advertising.
https://www.instagram.com/stephdoespictures/
AUTHOR INTERVIEW
Life Is What It's Called - What inspired you to write Ode to a Pug? And why did you choose a pug as the main character?
Jill Rosen - Anyone who has a pug understands that they are a constant source of amusement and chaos. Ode to a Pug was inspired by a true story about our own two-year-old pug, Phoebe. I came home one day to find Phoebe sitting with one of my dress shoes needed for an event that night hanging from her mouth (and the other one destroyed nearby) and I exclaimed, “That’s it! You’re going back!” What I didn't know, is that my youngest son overheard me and the next morning he asked if I really was going to give Phoebe away. I felt terrible that he thought I might have been serious. The more I reflected, I realized that this idea that parents can get frustrated or angry but still love their pups (or children) could be a very relatable book. The line “Today is the day I will give you away!” popped in my head. I liked the rhythm and rhyme of that line and built the rest of the text around it.
Visually, I felt that a pug would be a perfect muse for a funny children's picture book – cute, weird, hilarious, and a walking juxtaposition of odd habits, frustrating quirks, and lovable behaviors. The clowns of the canine world!
Life Is What It's Called - What's the overall message of this book, and why is it important?
Jill Rosen - I'd like young readers to come away with the message that no matter what happens or how upset loved ones might get, it never changes the unconditional love they have for each other. Also, that it's ok to get frustrated, even though sometimes we say things we don't mean. There’s a lesson about recovering from those mistakes and learning to manage our emotions. In the Fun, Feelings, and Rhyme workshops that I run with elementary school students using Ode to a Pug, even the youngest children enjoy talking about this topic. They all can name times when they said things they didn't mean because they were mad (like the mom in the book), or a parent or sibling has gotten angry with them for misbehaving (like the mom's little pug misbehaves). The book reinforces that difficult situations can be resolved by taking a pause to understand what you are feeling and why and gathering and preparing yourself for re-engaging and addressing the issues.
Life Is What It's Called - What do you think kids will like most about Ode to a Pug and why?
Jill Rosen - I think kids will love the silly and endearing pug antics and illustrations, complete with a sprinkling of potty humor (no pug story is complete without it!). They’ll also enjoy the arc of the story, including finding out whether the mom will really give away her pup. It's a great bedtime story that will leave both children and parents feeling good, and the rhymes will make it easier for the kids to remember and begin reading along. In the author readings and workshops I've done to-date, the children both empathize with the pug and understand and appreciate the story being told from the point of view of the frustrated pug owner. This goes against the traditional method of writing in the child's voice, but it works in this case, as the whole point is to show what the mom is really thinking.
Life Is What It's Called - What writing projects are you working on now?
Jill Rosen - I'm working on two other children’s books, and I can say that you might see our little pug again… this time with perhaps some new furry friends!
Life Is What It's Called - What else do you want readers to know about you?
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GIVEAWAY
Enter the giveaway for the chance to win an author-signed hardcover copy of Ode to a Pug, a 4″ custom pug plush, plus a die-cut pug sticker!
Ode to Pug Book Giveaway
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