Tiger and My Eye Patch follows a young girl bullied for wearing an eye patch to correct her vision whose courage becomes evident when she sets out to save her canine companion. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

I’ve noticed many elementary school students are reluctant to wear their glasses and eye patches because they’re worried about being ridiculed by peers. I was diagnosed with amblyopia or lazy eye as a child and experienced similar angst, prompting me to write Tiger and My Eye Patch. As I began outlining the story, I considered opening with a scene of two boys taunting the main character and pointing at her glasses and eye patch as she enters the classroom. Instead, the story begins with the main character smiling as she prepares to spend the summer with her grandparents and their Great Dane Tiger in Johnson City. This setup or opening scene places the focus on empowering family members rather than unkind classmates. I think this positive emphasis is more helpful to young readers.

Is there anything that you now wish you had included in Colleen’s story?

After Tiger and My Patch was released, I reflected on two things that could have been included in the book. I think a section with tips for parents and teachers to motivate children to wear their glasses and eye patches would be helpful. Also, a list of nonprofit organizations that give unwanted Great Danes a second chance could raise awareness about these volunteer initiatives.  If an updated version of my book is released, I’ll add these resources.

Do you have a favorite moment in the book? One that was especially enjoyable to write?

The entire story rekindles fond memories of spending school vacations with my grandparents and their gentle giant. One of my favorite scenes is the pivotal moment the little girl in the story realizes she can rescue Tiger when he’s stuck in the middle of a busy street. I think this scene shows children that their unique traits can help others and solve problems. I particularly enjoyed writing this part of the story because throughout my childhood my late grandmother liked retelling the story of how I assisted local police officers coax Tiger back to safety whenever he got loose during my summer visits. “When you called him with your little voice, he’d come,” she said. “Tiger listened only to you.”

What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?

I’m currently working on rewriting two children’s stories featuring Baxter the Beagle that I originally wrote to read to my elementary students. In Baxter’s DelightfullyDifferent Book Club, Baxter discovers the rewards of accepting differences and bypassing stereotypes. In The Super Beagle of Kindness, Baxter uncovers the power of treating others with compassion and empathy. Both fiction narratives provide young readers with life lessons in a lighthearted and entertaining way. The stories are scheduled for release in 2026.

Author Links: Website | Amazon