The challenge of the real world...
A major concern in writing our books is how to achieve a balance in writing stories that basically reflect life in the real word.
A fundemental premise of the Planet of the Dogs series is that life on this planet can be uncertain and dangerous as it always has been, even long, long ago, when our stories take place.
This leads to challenges...How to present a balanced picture of a world that can be dangerous, a world where invaders threaten, and where loved ones can be taken away -- without going too far and leaving the reader frightened. The problem that good people face, in one form or another, throughout the series, is established in Chapter One of Planet Of The Dogs... In our books, there is always -- ultimately -- a solution to this dilemma, a solution initiated by dogs. This is where the fantasy comes together with the reality of the real world. "the abundance and happiness found on Planet Earth were threatened by people like the warrior tribes of Stone City...Their numbers began to grow and soon they were taking the homes, land, and farms where peaceful people lived."
This series of books began with a conversation -- while holding a dog -- about how this world would be a better place if more people could be more "like dogs"...that the fundemental qualities that dogs possess can help us in many ways to overcome our probems...to find peace, freedom from fear and even happiness.
Our hope is to present a world of long, long ago that children will recognize, that has problems and dangers that they can relate to, and that will engage children's imagination without leaving them with fear and bad dreams. We want them to have a wonderful experience that will both entertain and teach.
To read sample chapters from the Planet of the Dogs Series, you can visit our website: http://www.planetofthedogs.net
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Stella and I will be visiting independent bookstores in MA and CT during the summer...and now we are also visiting independent stores in NYC
If you are a NEIBA member, or work with children's books in NYC, and would like us to visit your store, please email us at [email protected]... will bring complimentary reader copies to your store...
Barking Planet Productions is a member of IBPA and IPNE.
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Last March, for the first time on the Internet, the online community of childrens book bloggers -- librarians, teachers, authors, illustrators, and literary advocates -- launched a grassroots effort to promote reading...Share a Story-Shape a Future.
Initiated by Terry Doherty of the Reading Tub, this was a week-long event where people who believe in the power of reading blogged and shared their ideas. Their goal was "to offer tons of practical advice about reading that is free of statistics and educational jargon."
Terry said," We don't want to point fingers and tell people they have to read. Our purpose is to offer ideas on ways reading can be a part of their everyday experience."
To learn more about this terrific blog, to be part of the journey in 2010, and for a wealth of ideas on reading, visit
http://shareastory-shapeafuture.blogspot.com
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To read a review of Planet Of The Dogs by the Reading Tub, visit http://thereadingtub.com/displaybook.asp?id=1033
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We have extended our complimentary book offer through June to librarians offering Therapy Reading Dog programs to their communities...have the kids read a book from the Planet of the Dogs to the dog...Email us at [email protected]...
We support therapy dog reading programs in RI, NY, FLA, NJ, WI, PA, NY and NH.
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"Heaven goes by favor; if it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in" -- Mark Twain
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