Castles Inspire the Imagination...
For many centuries, castles and fortress cities played a pivotal role in the domination of one tribe or group of people over another. They have determined the outcome of warrior attempts at conquest in new territory. They have offered a safe haven to ordinary people as well as rulers and their soldiers.
Castles inspire the imagination and they play an important role in all the books of the Planet of the Dogs series. They are an integral part of the stories and they help young readers to gain understanding of the past.
Who lived in them? What was it like to live in a castle? Were people happy there? What about the ordinary people who lived outside the castle, but within the surrounding walls? And what of those who lived outside, far beyond the protection of the castle and its walls? What was it like..?
In Planet Of The Dogs, the home base of the Stone City Warriors is surrounded by high thick walls and dominated by a castle. For three generations, the warriors of Stone City have had an impenetrable sanctuary, leaving only on journeys of conquest. It is one of these -- their plan to take possession of the village of Lake Falls and all the farms and homes of the people of Green Valley -- that brings the first dogs to planet earth.
Away from their castle, despite their many years of succesful conquest, the Stone City Warriors are vulnerable... and they have never seen dogs.
In Castle In The Mist, the castle occupied by the Black Hawk tribe plays an active role and actually becomes a protaganist throughout the story. The children of Bik, leader of the Stone City Warriors, are captured and taken to the land of the Forest People where they are held prisoners in the Castle In The Mist.The dogs must find a way to free the children
It is the Ice Castle that holds the prisoners in Snow Valley Heroes, A Christmas Tale. However, the prisoners in this book are not children, but reindeer -- two of Santa's reindeer. They are part of a dark plot of revenge by the King of the North who has found a way to stop Christmas. The dogs must find a way to free the reindeer and save Christmas.
In the Planet of the Dogs series, part of our intention is to inspire the imagination, to take kids on a journey to the past, where they can imagine the role of castles in the lives of people as well as the wonderful role that dogs have played.
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Visit our website, http://www.planetofthedogs.net, for sample chapters and more information on the Planet of the Dogs series.
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This photo was taken on our visit to Raasepori Castle in southwestern Finland. The castle was built in the 14th century by the king of Sweden. At that time, it was surrounded by water and accessible only by boat. We went inside, climbing rock staircases, and very impressed by the immense walls...it certainly inspired my imagination.
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BOOK NEWS...Massachusetts Librarians-please visit the Independent Publishers of New England (IPNE) exhibit at the MLA Conference, May 4-8...look for our Planet of the Dogs series...
New England Independent Bookstores...Stella and I will be in the USA for a summer visit...we would like to visit your store...contact us at [email protected] and we will make arrangements...
National Dog Day is August 28...
The title of Barb Teschel's new book is: Frankie, the Walk'n Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby's House...
Frankie's therapy dog trainer was Julie Hauk, the Wisconsin elementary school teacher who developed the Pages for Preston therapy reading dog program for her second and third grade students.
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"No one appreciates the very special genius of your conversation as the dog does" -- Christopher Morley
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