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You Can Find Humor Everywhere
In Queen Molly and the Summer Palace, a German Shepherd and her owner venture northward to enjoy the cooler temperatures and embark on new summer adventures. Where did the idea for this story come from?
I have lived part of the year in PA and part of the year in FL for several years; a reverse snowbird, I guess. Of course, that means two road trips a year with my various dogs. Two years ago, I made the trip with Molly for the first time, and her responses to all the new experiences fascinated me. I thought a book written from her perspective might be kind of fun to write and read.
Is there anything from your own life that you put into Molly’s adventures?
All of Molly’s adventures have a basis in reality. I guess I am more observant than I am creative.
I enjoyed the humor woven throughout your book. How important is it for you to create lighthearted moments in your children’s books?
I have come to the conclusion that my greatest contribution to this world, behind my wonderful daughters, is adding a little humor to it. So many people seem to be taking everything so, so seriously! I believe humor helps put everything in perspective. I have always been able to laugh at myself and, fortunately, have helped my kids adopt that attitude, and they’re happier for it. If I can let other kids know that the world can be a fun place and you can find humor everywhere if you look for it, that’s a good thing.
Can readers look forward to a third book in the Molly series? If so, when will it be available?
Yes, I will be writing one more book in this series. When Molly and I returned from the Winter Palace, Meghan was pregnant. Readers will be able to see that pregnancy through Molly’s eyes. As to timing, I hope for late Spring. I need to scrape up enough money to pay for my Illustrator! I am definitely not in this for the money.
Author Links: Amazon | Twitter
Queen Molly and the Summer Palace
Queen Molly and the Summer Palace, by Gary John, is a charming narrative told through the eyes of a spirited German Shepherd named Queen Molly. Residing in her beloved Winter Palace in Florida, she is doted upon by her human companions, Gary and Megan. The story paints a vivid picture of her daily escapades – from engaging in conversations with neighborhood pets to her enthusiastic squirrel chases, and even taking Gary on walks, which adds a humorous twist to the pet-owner relationship.
As the setting shifts with an unexpected change in weather, Queen Molly embarks on a journey of discovery in a new environment. The story adeptly captures her adventures and new friendships, highlighting her adaptability and zest for life. The inclusion of a special frozen treat adds a delightful touch to her summer escapades. Told predominantly from Molly’s perspective, the book employs a playful tone, especially in how Molly perceives Gary as “her human,” humorously reversing the typical pet-owner dynamic. This perspective is not only engaging but also sparks several laugh-out-loud moments, contributing to the book’s overall charm. Samantha Deir’s illustrations complement the narrative beautifully, adding vibrancy and a sense of warmth that resonates with the story’s joyful essence. The conclusion of the story is satisfying, neatly wrapping up the current adventure while also hinting at future escapades. This leaves readers anticipating more delightful stories about Queen Molly.
Appropriate for a wide range of readers, this book stands out for its storytelling and humor. It is an excellent choice for shared reading experiences, particularly during storytime. Queen Molly and the Summer Palace is a captivating and heartwarming story that promises to be a hit with families and readers who appreciate a light-hearted, animal-centric narrative.
Pages: 36 | ASIN : B0CPMTMHHX
Change Is Neither Inherently Good Nor Bad
Queen Molly and Her Friends follows a young GSD puppy who finds her forever family and shares what her life is like living with her amazing humans. What was the inspiration for your story?
I have a summer cottage in PA, the ‘Summer Palace’ in the book. Molly and I spent all last summer there, and much of the time, we had the place to ourselves. I had a lot of time to really get to know how incredibly smart and unique she is. When she first came into our lives as a pup, she had to try to make sense of being taken from her mother and siblings and starting life anew in a whole new place with a whole new cast of characters. I tried to capture that experience and all that followed from her perspective but with a human slant as well.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
I wanted to show that change is neither inherently good nor bad; our response to change is what matters. Molly chose to accept the changes in her life as positive experiences due to her strong sense of self-confidence. I hoped to show that change is not something to fear but rather something to embrace and grow with.
Also, the characters in the book all have a great deal of respect for each other and care deeply about each other despite being very different from each other. Molly the Mutt is a great example; some people look at mutts as ‘less than,’ but not Molly. She treats Lilly as an equal and a good friend. Despite thinking of herself as a Queen and privileged, she treats everyone in her life with dignity. I think that’s an important lesson for all of us.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Samantha Deir?
I realized that illustrations would be integral to the story, and I researched professional illustrators online. I was getting frustrated and shared that with my daughter, and she suggested that I reach out to her friend, Samantha. Samantha is a very talented tattoo artist but had never illustrated a book. She was looking to step out of her comfort zone, which I respect tremendously, so we decided to test some ideas out. I sent her photos of Molly, Lillly, the ‘palace grounds,’ etc., and explained where I thought they would fit with the text. She sent some sketches, which I absolutely loved. I fell in love with the cover illustration immediately and decided she was the perfect person to bring the book to life. She added some illustrations from scratch, no pics to work from, and added the crown and cape on her own. I fell in love with the cover illustration right away, of course. The process took a while since her tattoo business is very successful, and she is quite busy, but to me, it was well worth the wait. Interestingly, we have never met in person. It’s been a text and email-only collaboration.
Do you have more books planned featuring Molly and her friends? If so, when will it be available?
I have two more Molly books in mind. One will focus exclusively on her life at the Summer Palace. The other will focus on a huge change whereby Meghan has a baby, and her boyfriend, his dog Cooper and baby Ellie come to live at 300 Elm Street for a while, then move to their own ‘palace’, leaving Molly alone with me. I am writing the Summer Palace book now, but as for timing, that will depend on Samantha’s availability. I like her work so much that I want to keep our team together.
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Queen Molly and Her Friends
Our pets rule our homes–let’s face it. Author Gary John and illustrator Samantha Deir know this well. They know it so well, in fact, that they have created a main character who is the queen of her home and well aware that she is in charge of her humans’ every move. Molly’s thoughts are communicated to young readers from the time she is a very young puppy leaving her home to late adulthood after living a full life of running the household. Molly’s antics keep both her owners and young readers on their toes as they follow her from one setting to the next.
Queen Molly and Her Friends, written by Gary John and illustrated by Samantha Deir, is a children’s picture book written from the perspective of a young German Shepherd who is learning, growing, and adjusting to life in a new home. What makes John’s book so special is its focus on Molly’s thoughts. Our typical reactions to our pets’ misbehavior are interpreted in a humorous way by the main character. Young readers will enjoy going along with Molly and her friend Lilly as they grow together. Deir’s illustrations are simple, colorful, and draw readers directly into the storyline.
As a pet owner myself, I appreciated the progression from puppy to adult portrayed in Molly’s story. While Molly’s story is sweet and strikes a chord with children who own pets, I feel that it lacks dialogue and is a bit heavy on narrative for young readers. The author has done an amazing job of showing young readers how a dog grows from an overactive puppy to an adult who is protective of her family and loyal to the very end.
Children and adults alike will enjoy John’s story and Deir’s sweet illustrations. The children’s book Queen Molly and Her Friends is an excellent resource for parents who are considering bringing a pet into the family.
Pages: 35 | ASIN : B0C63YD9B6
LITERARY TITAN 