Monday, August 2, 2010

Alphabet Woof

Alphabet Woof!Author: Sherrie A. Madia
ISBN: 978-0-9826185-0-9
Publisher: MommyDaughterProductions


When Aunt Mabel visits everyone expects that meal time will be interesting! Aunt Mabel is the favorite Aunt, who serves a dish with the promise that the “Meal might change your whole world-if you wish!” When Moxy, the family dog, knocks over the alphabet soup, his whole world changes! He makes a mess and slides around, but best of all he eats it right off the ground. Eating the soup is what changes his world, for soon the silliest thing occurs. Mom grabs a cloth and starts to clean up, soon she gets help from Moxy who says “Oh, here let me get that. It was partly my fault,” Mom replies “Oh, thank you,” and then screams! The family dog can talk! What will this mean? The magic is in the soup, Aunt Mabel has done it! Moxy’s wish to speak has come true, now he wants to be famous. Soon dad comes home to find out the news. He is thrilled that Moxy can talk and answer questions. Moxy does not stop talking ever! As the word spreads Moxy soon becomes famous and rich. The family is off to LA where Moxy has his own show, clothing line and a huge house. While doing all this he realizes that the fame is not what he wanted. He tells his family he wants to talk just to them and the fame is too much. Mom arranges for everyone to go back home. Moxy learns a lesson about the importance of family and that the people who love you mean the most! He decides the very best way for him to be is quiet and with his family.

Here is what my 4 year old daughter had to say about this book:
“So much fun! Moxy ate meatballs and letters soup that spilled on the floor. He ate it and could talk! Everyone was happy. He talked and talked and talked! Then his name was everywhere and they were rich but Moxy was sad. He wanted to go home. They did! Moxy didn’t talk anymore. A turtle ate the jumping bean soup and could jump high!”

I really enjoyed this book and reading it with my daughter. The book is reminiscent of the cartoon Martha Speaks, but is vastly different at the same time. It teaches a lesson in the significance of family as well as providing vivid colorful photographs and an enjoyable story! Alphabet Woof is very easy to read and is written in a rhyming format. It is twenty three pages long, but keeps your attention easily. This is great for young readers who may easily get bored. The book is published by MommyDaughterProductions which gives the book an edge. It is a piece of work accomplished within the family. Alphabet Woof was inspired by the authors’ three year old daughter and it shows. It reminds me of stories my daughters would tell me or want to be told. We really enjoyed this book and laughing at the antics of the Moxy. Who knew one pup would have so much to say given the ability to talk? It is a must read for children of all ages. I think the age range best for this book are the ages 3 to 10. Older kids will be able to read and enjoy this book on their own, while the younger ones will be able to enjoy the book with an adult who can read it to them.

Interview with Moxy







MOXY, GUEST BLOGGER






A dog, a wish and some magical soup!


INTRODUCTION
Our guest today is Moxy, a talking dog, the main character in the new children’s picture book, Alphabet Woof! and all around doggone-good fellow. In Alphabet Woof! by Sherrie A. Madia, Ph.D. and illustrator Patrick Carlson, Moxy eats some magic soup and his wish comes true: He can Talk!

This gift leads Moxy and his family to some exciting adventures. “Who’d pass up a dog who can speak after all?” News spreads fast about Moxy’s new voice and reporters, fan letters, phone calls and even flowers appear at his house. He lands a talk show on TV and the family becomes wealthy and famous.

In the end, Moxy realizes his greatest gift is not his ability to talk but rather, his ability to talk with the people he loves, who love him back. Now, when Moxy is not out-and-about posing for magazines, filming a feature film or being interviewed on blogs, he can be found at home with his loving family – a bit dog-tired but very happy.

QUESTIONS

1. Everyone is eager to learn about Alphabet Woof! Please tell us what it is all about.

MOXY: It’s a funny story, really. I mean, I have this routine where I eat whatever happens to spill from my family’s dinner table. One rainy Monday, I smelled something extra yummy in the kitchen, and it turns out it was our favorite Aunt Mabel’s famous alphabet soup. One thing led to another, and let’s just say there was a bit of a spill. Trying my best to lap it all up – I love to help out around the house! – something strange and wonderful happened. The moment I tasted that soup, I heard a sound I’d never heard before – a beautiful, magical, human kind of sound – what I heard was my own voice – I could talk!

2. What happened when you first learned that you could talk? Was your family surprised?

MOXY: Ummm, surprised is one way of putting it. The Boy and I were delighted -we thought it was the funniest trick ever! We talked to each other every day anyway – just in a different kind of language. But this kind of talking made sharing our stories a whole lot easier.  Mom had a lot of questions for me – Stuff like, “What about that broken vase – Was that really you who broke it?” And, “How about my missing gardening glove – did you bury it under the rose bush?”  We weren’t quite sure how Dad would react. He’s always so serious! The whole family got a little nervous when we heard the door open and saw the look on Dad’s face. Once he got over the shock, I think he really liked it. Mom said it made Dad “remember how to have fun again” - whatever that means. Dad particularly liked how I could tell him lots of stuff that I know about the neighbors. Like how Mr.

McGowan likes to toss his grass clippings over our side of the fence, or, well, you get the gist…

3. What responses to you get from kids when they read Alphabet Woof!?

MOXY: Kids are neat – In fact, they’re probably my favorite humans! For starters, they sure do laugh a lot when they hear my story – which makes me laugh, too!  Their favorite is the part about bedtime. Mom told the Boy and me, “No more talking in there!” only I just couldn’t help but talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk! I mean, I had soooo much to say, and I didn’t want to have to wait all the way ‘til morning — what if I forgot something important? So, I talked all night long for good measure. Mom was not amused.

4. What messages do you hope that your readers will take away from this?

MOXY: When I ate that magic soup, my wish to talk came true. It was all I ever wanted! But I learned something very special along the way, which was it wasn’t just anybody I wanted to talk to. It was talking with my family that made it all so much fun.  I hope that every family stops to take the time to ask the simple questions like,  “How was your day?” and “May I chew on your slipper?” —Er, I mean, “What happened in school today?”  Families who take the time to talk and laugh with each other give themselves a gift that lasts their whole life! Mom likes to say, “We’re not just talking—we’re making

family memories.” I’m not even sure I know what memories are, but Mom is always right about these things.

5. Tell us about your creators – the author and illustrator – of the book. How did they get the idea come to write a book about you? What are their goals for the future? Is there another book coming up?

MOXY: The author, Sherrie Madia—She lets me call her “Sher”—she’s a funny lady! She’s a mommy with two girls, and they wrote this book about me together, as a family project. Sher carried around a scrap of paper with this story idea for almost 10 whole years – She says that’s why she never throws anything out! The girls were getting a little older (Anna is 12 and Emma is 14—that’s 98 in dog years!), so Sher started to wonder how they’d ever keep talking. So she decided they would write a book—starring me!—and here I am.





Oh, but they couldn’t have done it without my buddy Patrick. He’s the amazingly talented illustrator who captured my good looks perfectly, if I do say so myself. Patrick has two boys, too – twins! – he really understands my many moods—I just love that guy!  The best news is – We’re doing another book together!  Sher, the girls, Patrick – and me! Only this time, we’re  creating a super-special project called “Moxy’s Family-Time Cookbook”.  This book will have some of the tastiest recipes ever – and they’ll be simple and easy, with step-by-step directions, so kids and their families can spend more

time having fun together. They’ve even got a section of recipes just for us dogs – Homemade dog treats — I can’t wait! Sher says the book will be available in December 2010 — Just in time for the holidays. Think I know what I’ll be giving Mom this Christmas! Shhhhhh.
6. A portion of the proceeds of Alphabet Woof! benefits the SPCA International.  Could you tell us a little about that organization and what they represent? Why did you choose to give to this charity?

MOXY: I was one of the lucky dogs out there. Mom and Dad rescued me from an overcrowded pound when I was just a puppy. They took me to visit some of the other animals who weren’t as lucky as me, and they had it pretty bad — great dogs and cats, just hoping to be loved by a family!  So, it was only natural that a portion of the proceeds from my story helps the SPCA International, which advances the safety and well-being of animals all over the world. One of our favorites is their Shelter Program.  Each year, the SPCA International helps local shelters in need with emergency  grant funds. They’ve helped countless animals over the years, so we really love being able to do our part to help them help animals.  Unlike me, most animals don’t have a voice, so we like to do our part to help animals who’ve been harmed or abused, or homeless, to live happy, healthy lives.
7. Do you have a website? Where can we purchase your book?

MOXY: Oh, boy, do I ever! My website is www.AlphabetWoof.com. You can hear a podcast of me doing what I love to do best – talking with my family!  The book is available along with some really cool t-shirts and a fun activity book. I hope your audience has as much fun reading my story as I’ve had living it!

Woof!
Moxy

Oh, and almost forgot: Do you have a talking dog at home? If you do, send your video or photo to contact@alphabetwoof.com, with the subject line “Talking Dog!” and Sher will post your special dog on her web site.

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