Ever heard of the picture book THE LOUDS MOVE IN? It’s one of my all-time favorites, with a cast of unique characters like Miss Shushermush, who eats quiet meals of leftover mashed potatoes. When the Loud family moves onto Earmuffle Avenue, the chaos begins and friendships are eventually [noisily] forged.
Ever since I read THE LOUDS I have been a huge fan of author Carolyn Crimi. So when I heard about her newest book PUGS IN A BUG, and then saw the illustrations by Stephanie Buscema, I nearly fell off my chair with an attack of acute cuteness. Punch-buggy green! Gotcha!
PUGS is a “catchy canine counting book” with a jaunty joy-ride rhyme and a groovin’ get-up-and-go beat. It’s so much fun to read aloud with its twists and turns in language—and in the road. Chugging along, the pugs meet up with a pooch parade, so there’s not only pugs in a bug, but bulldogs in a taxi and poodles on skateboards. This book proves that it’s not always about the destination but the journey. Beep, beep! Bow wow! I know you want to win it now!
So Carolyn and Stephanie are both here today to talk about the creation of PUGS…and yes, you can win it!
TL: Carolyn, are pugs your favorite kind of dog? Do you own a pug? Why PUGS?
CC: I actually love all kinds of dogs. I met a Newfoundland yesterday that I was ready to take home with me. Alas, she was a big dog and probably would not have fit in my car. But pugs are probably my favorite. They’re the comedians of the dog world. When I walk down the street with my pug Emerson people laugh. I kind of love that about him—he brings laughter with him wherever he goes.
Not that he cares about that. All he really cares about is food. If he had to choose between me and a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken I’m afraid there would be no contest. KFC would win, paws down.
Not only do I own a pug, I also own a VW Bug. It’s even green, just like the one in the book. I came up with the entire idea for PUGS IN A BUG the very first time I took Emerson for a ride in my car. That was way back in 2001. I still have both the pug and the Bug. I highly recommend both!
I’ve attached a pic of Emerson for your amusement.
TL: Aww, I love Emerson! His tongue is hilarious.
So you had the idea for the book over 10 years ago. How long did it take you to write it?
CC: Boy, I wish I had a timeline for this book, but I don’t have a clear idea of when I wrote the first draft. I don’t think it was submitted until 2003. Of course the whole submission process takes forever and a day. I also probably revised it a bunch of times to no avail. Then I think it took a while to find the right illustrator.
In other words, same ole same ole.
My first drafts don’t usually take long at all. Maybe just a couple of days. It’s the many revisions I do that take years. Yup, years. I’ll put something away for a while if it doesn’t sell right away. I’ll take another look at it years later and will sometimes be able to see the changes that need to be made. Some
Bravo. Loved the post. It is fun to get both the author and the illustrator in one post. Thanks Tara.
So glad to hear that some revisions that you years, Carolyn. Gives me hope. ;D
Thanks for sharing, ladies! The book looks awesome!
Tara–Loved this! My family used to have a pug. She brought much fun and laughter.
Carolyn–This is such a clever book idea.
Stephanie–I love Jazz’n Pug. You captured a stereotypical musician’s look. Too funny!
A fun and interesting read. Thank you for the post. I think Zip is a good dog name but rather Zippy for these pugs .
Too much fun and cuteness! I had a green bug but never a pug, but oh how I want to read this tale (and Dear Tabby). Thank you both for thus fun post!
This looks like a really cute book. I will have to look for it. My daughter drives a bug and loves it.
GAH!!! This is too much cuteness in one post. I was not familiar with Carolyn’s books, but I just added this one to my Amazon cart. I was sad to see that The Louds is no longer available (at least here in Italy).
My favorite pooch is the jazz pug, of course! Who would’t love a cool cat like Charlie Barker?
I like the dog in pink glasses. I’d name her Florence. Too cute!!
Great post! I can’t wait to read this one!
My favorite pug is the one with purple glasses…I’d have to call her Penelope.
I LOVE romping rhymers and this one sounds like a winner! Thanks Tara, Carolyn, and Stephanie.
I can’t wait to get a copy of this book and I love all the dogs! But if I had to choose one it would be the one who is driving, wearing his tartan tam. I’d name him Douglas–or ‘Doug’ for short because it rhymes with pug.