Dog Park

ABOUT THE BOOK

Dog Park

Written by Kathryn Kazoleas

Ages 6+ | 116 Pages

Publisher: Kathryn Kazoleas | ISBN-13: 9781777426118

Gibson the Labradoodle is about to begin her first day of training to become a dog park ambassador, something she has been dreaming about her entire life. Dog park ambassadors hold a very high honor within the dog park community and have many important roles to make sure the dog park is a fun and safe place to be. She has so many great ideas and cannot wait to get started.
While Gibson is training alongside lead ambassador and trainer, Meistro the bulldog, things don’t go as planned. Gibson meets challenge after challenge and isn’t allowed to introduce any of her new ideas. Being a dog park ambassador isn’t what she thought it would be, so she starts to question whether the role is really for her. At the end of her very first training shift, and just as she’s about to give up and tell Meistro she isn’t cut out to be a dog park ambassador after all, there’s an emergency at the river. One of the dog park’s new puppies, Clover, has swum too far out and cannot get back to shore.
Gibson’s best friend and greatest supporter, Stretch the dachshund, convinces her she must help. Gibson springs into action, with Stretch at her side and encouraging her the entire time. Gibson saves the day…almost! Having been swept downstream and far away from the dog park, Gibson is forced to lead the trio back to safety. There’s only one way back through a dark forest with strange sounds and smells. The sun is starting to go down and everybody is tired and scared. But Gibson knows she has to get her friends back home, despite what or who gets in her way.
PURCHASE: Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathryn Kazoleas is a Canadian author. Her furry roommates and copy-editors Keeva the cat, as well as Koa and Freddy the labradoodles, inspire her stories every day. The way they see and experience the world inspires her to dream up and express what she can only describe as fun, chaotic, and innocent adventures. Kathryn has been writing for many, many years, with her most recent work being the middle-grade chapter books “Dog Park” and its sequel “Dog Daycare”. Her short story “Just Be There” can also be found in Chicken Soup for the Soul’s “My Hilarious, Heroic, Human Dog”.

For more information, visit www.kathrynkazoleas.com, https://www.instagram.com/kathrynkazoleas/, and https://twitter.com/kkazoleaswriter.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

What inspired you to create Gibson, the labradoodle?

After many adventurous trips to the dog park with my dogs, the idea for Dog Park came to be. I love Labradoodles (I have 2!), so it only seemed fitting that a labradoodle was the lead of my book.

Did you write stories when you were a child? Did they involve dogs?

I wrote many stories as a child, and yes, dogs were typically involved. I am, and always have been, a dog person.

How many pets do you currently own? What are their names?

I have two dogs, Labradoodles: Koa and Freddy, and a ragdoll cat named Keeva.

How long did it take to write Dog Park?

It took about 6-8 months to write.

Can you tell us a little about the sequel, Dog Daycare?

Absolutely! Gibson loves going to dog daycare and has her whole fun day planned out. What she didn’t plan for was the arrival of two mischievous cats who wanted the daycare for themselves. While the cats plot against Gibson and her friends, more unwanted visitors show up with their own sneaky plan. Can Gibson save the dog daycare…or will it be too late?

What is your favorite thing about writing?

I love how one idea leads to the next and the next and how the story takes on a life of its own. Even with the best outline, there are so many other exciting storylines that emerge when sitting down to write.

What is your least favorite thing about writing?

Those days of writer’s block and when your story seemed better in your mind than it does on paper are the most frustrating!

What is the best advice you’ve received about writing a book?

I cannot remember where I heard it, but to write the book you would want to read.

Where is your favorite place to write?

Any place quiet, free of distraction, and with my animals nearby.

How do you celebrate the completion of a book?

Usually, I just go do something fun, take a deep breath, and start thinking about the next!

Do you plan to write a story about cats or other animals?

Absolutely! Dog Daycare features some other critters, and I’m currently working on a book about a very cute little bird who is left behind at migration.

Thank you for spending time with us and answering these interview questions, Kathryn. It’s been fun!

TOUR SCHEDULE

Thursday, January 5, 2023

The Children’s Book Review

Tour Kick-Off

Friday, January 6, 2023

The Fairview Review

A book review of Dog Park

Monday, January 9, 2023

Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

A book review of Dog Park

Tuesday, January 10, 2023