The Inspiration Behind DOGS IN COATS by Mary Louise Kelly

Please welcome children’s author and retired elementary educator Mary Louise Kelly to Frog on a Blog! Mary’s picture book Dogs In Coats is perfect for kids who love dogs. It’s a concept book that helps kids learn the fundamentals of addition by counting up dogs who are wearing coats and adding that number to dogs who are not wearing coats. In all, kids will “meet” 400 real dogs and even learn each dog’s name. Painted backgrounds by artist Jenn Sargent add more variety and visual elements to each page. It’s super cute and a great way for children to have fun while learning!

Mary stopped by today to share the inspiration behind the book and her passion for joyful learning. Let’s hear from Mary!

The Inspiration Behind Dogs In Coats
by Mary Louise Kelly

I have lived in Vienna, Austria, for the past nineteen years, and one of the things I love most about this beautiful city is how much people love their dogs. Dogs are everywhere. They ride public transportation, relax beside their owners in cafés and restaurants, accompany families into many shops, and are even welcome on golf courses. They truly are part of the family.

We moved to Vienna with our two-year-old Sheltie, Lydia, she immediately fell in love with her new home. Almost every day we visited one of Vienna’s many beautiful dog parks, where she could run freely, play with other dogs, and simply enjoy being a dog. Those wonderful parks eventually became the inspiration for Dogs In Coats. Every page in the book is set in a different dog park throughout the changing seasons, and if you look carefully, you’ll notice that the people are shown only from the waist down. That was intentional; I wanted readers to experience the world from a dog’s point of view.

Throughout my forty-three years as an elementary educator, I always believed that children learn best when they are actively involved in the learning process. My teaching philosophy has been influenced by Maria Montessori, Jean Piaget, and Howard Gardner, whose work on Multiple Intelligences I had the privilege of learning about firsthand while teaching at The Howard Gardner School in Pennsylvania. Every child learns differently, and I have always tried to make learning engaging, meaningful, and enjoyable rather than something to be memorized simply for a test.

My love of mathematics naturally found its way into my classroom. While teaching five-year-old Austrian children who were also learning English as a second language, we celebrated each day of school by counting together. We counted by ones, twos, fives, and tens, gradually helping the children recognize number patterns before introducing addition facts. I wanted mathematics to become something they could see, experience, and enjoy.

Dogs became the perfect teaching partners. Children naturally notice them, talk about them, laugh at them, and remember them. That simple observation inspired me to use groups of dogs to visually demonstrate addition facts. Instead of seeing numbers alone, children could actually see the math happening through playful photographs of dogs, making learning both memorable and fun.

Creating Dogs In Coats became a journey of its own. For four years, I photographed dogs wherever I traveled throughout Europe and the United States, always asking owners for permission before including their beloved companions in the book. Even the Vienna Animal Shelter generously contributed photographs. In the end, the book featured 400 dogs, 160 wearing coats and 240 without. Every photograph reminds me of the wonderful people and remarkable dogs I met along the way.

Looking back, I realize that Dogs In Coats represents everything I loved about teaching. It brings together curiosity, storytelling, joyful learning, and the simple happiness that animals bring into children’s lives. If one child finishes the book smiling a little more confidently about both dogs and mathematics, then every photograph, every lesson, and every moment spent creating it was worthwhile.

Mary Louise Kelly is a retired elementary educator whose teaching career spans more than four decades across Pennsylvania, Ecuador, and Vienna, Austria.

Today, she continues sharing her passion for joyful learning through children’s books, classroom visits, and author presentations, always believing that when children are curious, meaningful learning naturally follows.

More About DOGS IN COATS

Dogs In Coats is a children’s picture book for ages 5–7 by former elementary educator Mary Louise Kelly.

Inspired by more than forty years of classroom experience, the book combines real dog photography with early addition concepts to help children build confidence in mathematics through observation, curiosity, and play. Featuring 400 real dogs photographed in beautiful seasonal settings, Dogs In Coats transforms foundational learning into an engaging and memorable reading experience for children, families, educators, and homeschoolers alike.

Learn more about Mary Louise Kelly and her book at:

https://marylouisekellyvienna.net

https://www.dogsincoats.net

Interview Alert: Stenetta Anthony

Please welcome award winning author Stenetta Anthony to Frog on a Blog! Stenetta has published three lovely picture books and is working on publishing a fourth. She was an elementary school teacher for many years before becoming an author, and this is what she said about her new life’s path: “This change in career has taken me to places that I never envisioned as a teacher.”

I love how Stenetta’s books often include animals, and it’s through the animals’ stories that kids learn self-love as well as kindness and empathy for others. Her books clearly carry messages of hope and inspiration. We all need a little bit more hope and inspiration in our lives, don’t you think? Now, let’s hear from Stenetta about her books and her journey as a children’s book author!

Please share a little about each of your picture books and what inspired them.

SA: My first book, The Love Story, was inspired by a question asked by a young child who wanted to know who God is. Although I was familiar with children’s Bibles and other materials to educate children about God, I found it difficult finding a book which introduced a child or adult who was unfamiliar to God and why he was so important to our world.

A Home for Sally came from a place of concern for special needs animals and children. Using Sally’s story to promote empathy and understanding is an essential representation of a child with a disability, where they don’t feel alone and learn that being “perfectly imperfect” is okay, reinforcing the idea that everyone is beautiful.

Ella Learns to Dance was written to demonstrate the misconceptions and stereotypes that sometimes surround a person who does not look like a ballerina, empowering a child to follow their dream regardless of what others may say.

Each of these books was written to foster inclusivity, validation, and empathy on the importance of kindness, love, understanding and acceptance.

Why do you believe picture books are important for children?

SA: As a former educator, children are introduced to words at an early age either through watching television, social media or [other] avenues. Picture books introduce children to the world. Connecting the words with the pictures increases a child’s language skill, emotional literacy and visual thinking. Children can look at a picture and sometimes create their own story, developing creativity in the mind of a child.

What route did you take to publish your books—traditional, self-published, or hybrid—and why?

SA: The route I have taken to publish most of my books is hybrid; however, I have had the opportunity to self-publish one of my books, which was valuable to my learning more about the steps necessary to publishing.

Tell us a bit about your journey from being a teacher to becoming a children’s author.

SA: Many people dream about becoming an author; however, this is not my story. I was an educator for 22 years teaching pre-kindergarten – 3^rd graders. During the years spent in the classroom as a teacher, I often looked for books that reflected my students, especially those with a disability; however, this was often difficult. This desire had me creating stories of my own. One day, while reading one of my creative stories to a friend, they asked, “Where did you get that book? I love it.” Telling them I had written it myself, they quickly asked, “Have you ever thought about publishing your own books?”

After this conversation, thought and time, along with encouragement from my husband and children, I wrote and published my first children’s book entitled The Love Story, with three more books to follow and presently working on publishing my fourth children’s book, taking this teacher on a journey that took me from the classroom to becoming a published, multi award-winning children’s book author.

How would you encourage others who dream about being a published author?

SA: Following your dream can sometimes be intimidating. Since writing my first book, I have been told on multiple occasions, “I want to write a book.” The simple answer always given is to just start writing. Carry a pen, paper, digital recorder or other material and begin the writing process. Remember to never give up regardless of how long the process may take. Never give up on your dream to become a published author.

Multi award-winning author, Stenetta Anthony, was an elementary school educator for 22 years before becoming a published author, after reading hundreds, possibly thousands of books to her students and writing her own books. Stenetta has a passion for creating books that engage, enhance, elevate, motivate and evoke a love for reading in children. She is a graduate of Grand Canyon University. When Stenetta is not writing, she enjoys time speaking and reading with children in educational settings and other venues. Stenetta’s goal is to inspire people through her books.

To learn more about Stenetta and her books, visit her Website: www.stenettaanthony.weebly.com

Or connect with her on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/public/stenetta-anthony

Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/StenettaA

Instagram: www.instagram.com/stenettaanthony/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stenetta-anthony-42b28544

Interview Alert: Gina Soldano-Herrle

Please welcome author and professional ghostwriter Gina Soldano-Herrle to Frog on a Blog! Gina’s beautiful new picture book Nia’s Rescue Box is available now. With Christmas just a couple of weeks away, I’m sure many of you are in the giving spirit. Maybe you’re even feeling charitable and wondering about ways you can help out in your community. Or maybe you or someone you know is going through a tough time right now and could use a little assistance. Nia’s Rescue Box features a food rescue, which is something I hadn’t heard of before.

Food rescues are nonprofits that partner with grocery stores, restaurants, and farms to reduce wasted food. The story follows a little girl as she visits a local food rescue and learns, not only how it can benefit her and her family, but also, how she can help reduce food waste in her community. Let’s hear more from Gina!

Congratulations on the publication of your new picture book Nia’s Rescue Box! Please tell us a little about the story.

GS: I came up with the idea while working as a service participant at Vindeket Foods, a food rescue in Fort Collins, CO. I’ve been writing children’s books for years and couldn’t think of any that touched on food rescues, which differ from pantries in that there are no requirements/qualifications to shop/rescue there.

Here’s the blurb: Ashamed of her newfound food insecurity, Nia leaves the local food rescue with an empty box. Afterward, when confronted with the reality of food waste, she reconsiders accepting help and becoming a part of something greater.

Why do you feel this story was important to tell?

GS: It’s important for two big reasons—people and our food cycle. According to recent statistics from Feeding America, there are around 119 billion pounds of food waste every year in the United States. That’s roughly 40% of all food in our country every single year.

The concept of a food rescue embraces solving the environmental crisis caused by food waste while also making a huge impact on food insecurity. Vindeket’s core mission is to revalue food and people. It’s a symbiotic relationship that could bring about large-scale change to waste and hunger problems, and that’s just in the United States.

What route did you take to publish your book and why?

GS: I self-published it. At first, I queried agents and editors, but, after some interest, they all passed because they lacked the passion for it. This book is about solving environmental and social issues that affect people right now on a huge systemic level. People need to know about food rescues, and we need to stop being afraid to talk about being hungry.

Also, half of all profits from book sales go back to Vindeket, which is growing rapidly within the Fort Collins community.

The art in Nia’s Rescue Box is quite unique. How did you connect with your illustrator, Abi Joy Eaton?

GS: She’s a fellow patron/shopper at Vindeket! Vindeket founder, Nathan Shaw, and I put out a call for artists to submit sample art for the book, and Abi was the winning submission. When I saw her first piece of art for Nia, I was speechless and couldn’t imagine a better person to help tell Nia’s story.

**Winning illustration by Abi Joy Eaton**

You’re a professional ghostwriter and freelance writer and have written many articles and short stories. How does writing children’s picture books differ from the other types of writing that you do? And which type of writing is your favorite?

GS: I like to write all the things! I’ve always had a hard time narrowing down genres and I enjoy everything from picture books to adult nonfiction and all that goes in between.

The children’s book writing is quite a bit different because usually there isn’t as much research involved. Also, I usually write it without an outline. That’s for the picture books at least. I’ll write a draft or three of a new picture book idea then iron it out before sharing it with a critique group. I don’t have any critique partners for my articles. When it comes to books though, I do have some middle grade, adult contemporary fiction, and adult memoir that I work on as well and usually run past critique partners. Those also all need outlines…usually. If I don’t have some kind of outline I usually get lost in the murky middle.

How important do you believe it is to volunteer in your community, and how would you encourage others to do the same?

GS: I think it unlocks something different within every one of us. All of us have unique strengths that make us who we are, and through volunteering our time to help others, we often realize we are capable of greater things than we anticipated.

If you’re still in school, definitely check out your local Key Club (run by Kiwanis, an adult organization) or other service-oriented organizations to find nonprofits and other charities you can help. If you’re an adult, do an online search. There are some platforms you can check out that list different organizations in your area. But I’ve had the best luck with just asking around. Ask your friends. Ask their friends. I found Vindeket through a friend of a friend and can’t imagine being where I am today without them.

Gina Soldano-Herrle has been a professional ghostwriter and author since 2019. As a member of SCBWI and The 12×12 Picture Book Challenge, she’s very active in the writing community. You can find her debut picture book, Nia’s Rescue Box, at most online booksellers and read her interviews with other authors on her website.

Connect with Gina by visiting her website ginasoldano.com or follow her on Instagram @gina.soldano or TikTok @ginasoldanoherrle.

Children’s Literature: A Natural Way to Learn New Languages by Sonia Kermen

Please welcome bilingual children’s book author Sonia Kermen to Frog on a Blog. Sonia recently published Enzo Le Petit Aventurier / Enzo The Little Adventurer, a book written in French and translated into English. It includes nine stories featuring different animals, and each story ends with a proverb.

As a mom of three children from different cultures, Sonia believes it’s important to communicate the importance of languages. She’s here today to talk a bit about how children’s books can help kids learn new languages.

Children’s Literature: A Natural Way to Learn New Languages

by Sonia Kermen

Children’s literature is a natural way to learn new languages. I have recently published a bilingual book for children entitled Enzo The Little Adventurer. These short stories are written to introduce children to new languages, educate them about the life of the nine zoo animals and instill in them the simple values of life. The ability to speak more than one language is a true richness in our society.

We live in a dynamic and globalized world in which our children must be understood and accepted in whatever country they find themselves.
They, therefore, must learn to understand the country’s language as well as its culture. As bilingual speakers, our children will discover a whole other world, a wealth of knowledge that will enable them to be at home on our planet. When I left France a few years ago and moved in 2008 to the United States with my children, my family and I had to face the joys and challenges of bilingual and bicultural living.

I found children’s storybooks to be a natural avenue for children to develop their bilingual skills. It is clear that the younger treasure learning other languages, the easier it is for them. Children become more open to the outside world, more expressive, and more adaptable in new contexts.

There are, of course, certain challenges in learning to speak more than one language: young children tend to start speaking a little later than average, because instead of learning one set of words, they are learning two or three. Their minds are assimilating information in several languages at a time. Nevertheless, bilingual living sets up children for success in the future, and the delayed speech is quickly overcome by an insatiable curiosity for the world.

Children’s books evoke a child’s imagination and creativity. The vocabulary is inherently repetitive, which facilitates the acquisition of new vocabulary words. Parents can naturally dialogue with their child about the stories in one language or in another. The readers can discover cultural differences in a safe context. Furthermore, children’s books are illustrated. Vivid color drawings help boys and girls follow the scenario and easily learn new vocabulary. Paragraphs are short to keep the child engaged.

It also must be noted that the simple values of life are best taught in a narrative context. Not only do bilingual books for children allow them to learn a new language smoothly, these books also can remind the readers about what is important in life. Narratives can teach simple values for living, such as patience, forgiveness, and that we are all born under a star. We remind the education and awakening on the animals of the zoo.

Children thus keep their innocence and naïveté. I find that these stories enable adults to rediscover their childhood and to pass on our wisdom to our children. Books enable children and parents to relearn proverbs that are less common in modern society. When children and adults read together, generations encounter each other and come to understand each other better. Through bilingual children’s books, adults and children learn to better love each other and to share their world.

After several years as blog coordinator, creating slogans, presentation videos, model of various marketing campaigns and teacher, the Breton Sonia Kermen, writer since the age of nine, now devotes herself to her passion with the writing of her bilingual children’s book with Enzo Le petit Aventurier / Enzo The Little Adventurer. She is also the author of the bilingual series Les Aventures d’Enzo / The Adventures of Enzo with the name of Sonia Colasse published in 2012.

Photo from Sonia Kermen’s website: authorandmodel.wixsite.com/soniakermen

For more information about Sonia and her books, please visit:

authorandmodel.wixsite.com/soniakermen/books-projects
www.instagram.com/authorandmodel/
www.facebook.com/AuthorandModelSonia/
www.youtube.com/channel/UCIZeKjWgQcht0b1SzWuKF1Q/

Thanks so much, Sonia, for sharing the importance of learning languages!

Readers, my public library has an entire section devoted to bilingual children’s books. Check your library to see what they have available.