Oh wait, you guys are human. Sorry about that. I'm Dash. Mom's says I'm a Heinz 57. That means I'm a mixed breed dog. I'm also the star of May the Best Dog Win. Some lady named Kelly Hashway followed me around and wrote a book about me. I don't know why she just didn't help me out when Sweeper showed up. I guess she thought the story wouldn't be as good if I didn't fight off the Sweeper myself.
Oh well. I'm here to talk to you all about characters in picture books. (My author says picture books are the ones with the pictures. I guess that makes sense. You humans sometimes call things by strange names, but not this time.) So, I'm the main character--at least that's what my author said. Really I'm the good guy. But see I have this problem. The Sweeper showed up one day and now suddenly I'm not Mom's favorite anymore. Sweeper keeps stealing my time with Mom and he steals my leftover food scraps! Do you believe that? So I had to stick up for myself. My author says the main character has to find a way around his problem. I guess she means when I fought Sweeper in the toughest game of tug-of-war ever! It didn't end well. I don't like to talk about what happened. You'll have to read my book to find out for yourself. But let me warn you, it may make your eyes tear. I know mine did.
Okay, so enough about me. Let's talk about Sweeper. He's the bad guy. What did my author call him? The ant... no that's not right. Hang on, let me ask her. She speaks dog. Oh, the antagonist. What a funny word. You humans! Sweeper's nothing like an ant. He's huge! Anyway, Sweeper's the bad guy who comes in and tries to steal my Mom away from me. And he gets to do things that I'm not allowed to do. So he and I have to face off. My author says that's what happens in books. The good guy (me) and the bad guy (Sweeper) have some sort of fight to see who wins. Hmm, is that why she named the book May the Best Dog Win? Wait that means--oh, I'm not allowed to tell you how the book ends.
I hope you learned something. I heard it's hard to teach a human new tricks.
Ruff!
Be sure to stop by and say hello to DASH and KELLY HASHWAY at Freado and take a peek inside this great picture book. Amazon has it in stock now, so you're just a click away from making a wonderful purchase for your PB library. Dash and Kelly would love it if you followed them on Twitter @kellyhashway and stopped in to say hello or "Ruff" at their Website.
Ruff... oops sorry. Dash here. Just wanted to say thanks for having me. And I wanted to let everyone know the book about me is on sale at Barnes and Noble. Pretty cool!
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful interview! Love Dash. He's too cute. Will have to pick his story up and see what he does to Sweeper! :-)
ReplyDeleteC.K. Volnek
Hi, Charlie. I have to use my author's screen name, but she doesn't care. I hope you like my story. Let me just warn you that things get a little tense between the Sweeper and me. You may want to squeeze your favorite toy while you're reading.
ReplyDeleteCute. Does he have any litter mates or was he an only pup?
ReplyDeleteDash, you sound like one awesomely cool dog, man! I must grab your book and visit your world. Sweeper must be bloodcurdling. I'm rooting for you, you awesome dog you. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnybody who writes dog books is my kind of human!
ReplyDeleteDash here, using my author's screen name again.
ReplyDeleteShawn, I was an only dog until Sweeper showed up.
Robyn, thanks. Sweeper is pretty scary. He's always growling at me.
Buddy, yeah, my author is pretty cool--for a human.
Dash,
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if you would come on over to my house and teach my new puppy, Punch, that not every blade of grass, or leaf that blows, or noise he hears is a terrible threat! He barks at every single thing he sees or hears. Maybe you could convince him that not everything is as it seems, kind of like you thought Sweeper was coming to take over your territory! Maybe I just need to read your story to my new pup. Tell your author thanks for writing the story and you are a fascinating character! Also, I love your name.
Allyn, I can do a play date with Punch. Does he like rope bones? Don't worry, he'll figure out the grass isn't going to hurt him. And leaves are fun to catch. He's probably just playing. As long as you don't have a Sweeper at your house, Punch will be fine.
ReplyDeleteAs for my name, Mom gave it to me. But my author says it suits me perfectly. Not sure what she means by that. I think it's because it's a cool name.
Tell Punch I said, "Ruff, ruff!" He'll know what it means.
I knew Buddy couldn't resist stopping in to say hi. He even got up from his couch to do that. Cheers, Buddy.
ReplyDeleteAs for Punch, I think he could use a little tender guidance from Dash.
I knew Buddy couldn't resist stopping in to say hi. He even got up from his couch to do that. Cheers, Buddy.
ReplyDeleteAs for Punch, I think he could use a little tender guidance from Dash.
Nice to meet you, Dash. I'd like to have a puppy just like you. Maybe someday. Right now I have a cat, and she's not very friendly.
ReplyDeleteHi Dash,
ReplyDeleteYou gave a really cool interview! You know what? I had a thought (those things happen sometimes). Maybe Sweeper is afraid of you or trying to be friends with you. What do you think? I think that your having a playdate with Punch is pretty cool too. I'll have to get your book & see what all you're doing! By the way, you speak human pretty good!
It's Dash again!
ReplyDeleteBeverly, a cat huh? My author has one. They're okay, but they're not as playful as dogs.
Deb, thanks! This was my first interview. My author helps me with speaking human when I get stuck. Luckily she speaks dog and can help me translate. Sweeper trying to be friends with me? I don't think so. If you read the book you'll see what I mean.
Dash, This is one of the cutest interviews I can remember. I must have your book. You are delicious!
ReplyDeleteRuff! Oh sorry. I forgot to speak human because I was so excited, Barbara. I hope you like my book!
ReplyDeleteBeing a dog lover at heart, of course I found this to be the cutest blog EVER!!! Thanks for sharing, Dash - you did an outstanding job ;-)
ReplyDeleteThis was just cute! I loved it. The book looks fun.
ReplyDeleteDash here again. I really have to get my own screen name.
ReplyDeleteJanet, any dog lover is a friend of mine. You're one smart human.
DM, thanks. You made my tail wag.
Oh, this was a delight. Well done, Ruff (and Kelly). Can't wait to pick up a copy! I love picture books!
ReplyDeleteI'm officially charmed! I have my 5th graders do a read aloud of a picture book as their first oral language presentation of the year. MAY THE BEST DOG WIN needs to join my collection for that project.
ReplyDeleteLooks so so cute, Kelly!
ReplyDelete