about the book
Patch, a frisky pup, is taken care of and very much loved by a little towheaded boy. Taking care of Patch is sometimes a very easy job. Other times, not so much!
Patch loves to chase rabbits, and although the boy reminds him not to, the rambunctious pup races off after a bunny and ends covered with thorny prickles. “That’s all right” soothes his owner. “Tomorrow we’ll try again.”
When Patch gets a bad case of fleas, he is banned from the house. His boy tries flea collars, flea powder, and even a flea bath. After being hung out to dry, the buggy pooch is still confined outside. As the two best buddies snuggle down that night in the dog house, the boy tells his puppy, “What are a few fleas between friends?”
A big dog contest is coming up, and the little boy is so excited. He teaches Patch to sit, stay, catch, and lots of other tricks. The dog is amazing during practice.
But what happens when he freezes up during the contest? Will the disappointed boy still love Patch, no matter what?
about the author
David Slonim is a pretty impressive guy. Not only does he write and illustrate children’s books, he is also a renowned fine artist.
Based in Chesterfield, Indiana, he supports a family of six (including two in college) by coloring for a living! Illustrating a book is a long drawn-out process, and while he is waiting for comments from editors, he works on his fine art projects. While other illustrators have turned to digital programs to hurry the creative process, David does everything the traditional way, with paints and brushes. He is exceptional at matching the tone of his art work to the feeling of the author’s story. Some of his illustrations are zany, others are realistic.
David began drawing as a young teen, copying cartoon characters at first. From there, he worked from his own imagination; and then at the Rhode Island School of Design, he learned to paint from observation. Now almost forty years later, David is still creating art work by copying, imagining, and observing.
He began writing children’s picture books during reading time with his own children. He would doodle as he made up stories. He sent some of his doodles to an editor friend, who helped David turn his sketches into his first book. So far he has written, illustrated, and published fifteen books. He has also illustrated a bunch of books for other authors.
His advice for rookie illustrators is all about relating to people. He says it is very important to be respectful, be a team player, be easy to work with, be trusted to meet deadlines, and to express opinions humbly.
Sources:
Author website
Author interview: Dave G. Derrick
Also by David Slonim:
I Loathe You. Aladdin. 2012.
He Came with the Couch. Chronicle Books. 2005.
Oh, Ducky! Chronicle Books. 2003.
read more!
He Came with the Couch by David Slonim
When Sophie’s pup chews up the couch, Dad finds a replacement at the rummage yard. But this sofa comes with a blue creature attached to the middle cushion! The family can’t budge it, trying everything from a plunger to scraping fingernails on a chalkboard to blaring bagpipes! What will get this zany creature off the couch?
I Didn’t Do It by Patricia MacLachlan
How do dogs feel about being good doggies? One pup knows he is perfect because his people tell him so (but do they know he chewed up something?) A small terrier objects to his owners’ rules and comes up with a few of his own. And a woebegone black Labrador bemoans his bath and relates the other things he doesn’t care for. These verses express the point of view of 14 pooches!
Oh No, George! by Chris Haughton
Floppy-eared and big-snouted, George promises to be a very good dog when his owner, Henry, leaves, but it is especially hard when there are cats to chase, flowers to dig up, and a delicious cake sitting on the kitchen table. Can he resist…or will the pesky cats and his love of cake get the best of him?