MBA&M: What was the appeal if writing about pets?
Our book series was prompted by the sudden death of our dog, Lucy, at the age of 6, of cancer. We were so devastated we wanted to somehow keep her alive in our hearts. The character in the book looks like our Lucy.
MBA&M: Why write a story about jealousy?
Michael, age 6, and I Skyped with kids across the globe, via Skype in the Classroom, asking kids for ideas for our next books. Michael really liked the idea of jealousy, and decided it should be the focus. We did a Kickstarter to fund the book, and one of our backers requested that her special needs son, Tristen, be a character in the book. She wanted to inspire him to read (see press release below). Michael decided that Bash should be jealous of Tristen.
MBA&M: How hard is it to wrote a children’s book, that young readers can understand and relate to in their everyday life?
My co-author is a great help in writing a story that kids his age can relate to. We also share our drafts with many parents and a professional editor. Since we read so many books for kids this age, I can’t say it’s really hard. But getting the language right can be a challenge. Do you write slightly “above” the age group so kids learn new words? That’s a question I struggle with.
MBA&M: How many books will be in this series?
We plan on writing a book and creating an audiobook a year. This is Michael’s plan–and he’s the boss! When he feels like he doesn’t want to do this any more (as a teen?), then maybe we’ll stop. Maybe I’ll continue on my own. Hard to say!
Boy, 6, & Mom Release Second Book To Keep Memory of Dog Alive
Young Author Does “KidLit Chats” with School Children
Michael Cohn, age 6, and his mother, Lisa Cohn, will keep the memory of their dog alive by continuing a kids’ book series launched in 2013–thanks to some unanticipated Kickstarter supporters who helped fund their just-released book.
Dania Doose, Palmdale, Calif., surprised Lisa and Michael by backing a Kickstarter project in May that aimed to fund the duo’s second dog picture book. Doose asked the Cohns to make her autistic son, Tristen, a character in the book, along with his service dog. She wanted to inspire her son to read.
The new book, successfully funded by the Kickstarter, is “Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy.” It follows “Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence,” a Mom’s Choice Silver Award winner and finalist, USA Best Book Awards. The Cohns wrote the first book in 2013 to overcome grief over the sudden death of their golden retriever, Lucy.
“This series, illustrated by the talented Heather Nichols, really helps Michael keep the memory of our dog, Lucy, alive in his heart,” said Lisa Cohn. “Michael, who loves helping write these books, rose to the challenge of integrating Tristen and his dog into the new ‘Bash and Lucy.’ He came up with the jealousy theme and created the entire plot line.”
The Cohns visit school children in Portland and via Skype, sharing their story and encouraging children to read and write. They also do “KidLit Chats with Michael,” during which book lover Michael discusses books with young children. Here’s an example: http://youtu.be/_D5PooWyPvc
In addition to Tristen and his service dog, featured in the book is Kickstarter backer Sniff Dog Hotel, which hosted a Dec. 7 book release party and fundraiser for the Oregon Humane Society (OHS). The Cohns raised $350 for OHS at the book release party, about the same amount they raised last year at their first release party. Another backer was the natural pet products company “I and love and you.”
“For us, this project is about giving back—through our OHS fundraisers, to dogs who give so much to us– and the companies and students who have been so enthusiastic about our books,” Lisa added.
In “Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy,” Lucy helps coach Bash’s soccer team by kissing the kids and making them laugh, and even leads the team to the championships. But Bash is overcome with jealousy when Tristen (who has mild autism and epilepsy), says he wants Lucy to coach his Special Olympics team.
Said Doose, “My child, Tristen, who is intelligently challenged, was inspired to read by this book.”
Said Kirk Mango, National Champion, Hall of Famer, & author of “Becoming a True Champion” in an Amazon review, “In ‘Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy,’ authors Lisa and Michael Cohn take kids on a wonderful ride through a life lesson on jealousy, sharing, and compassion for others.”
Said Jessica Johnson in an Amazon review, “My kids and I love this book. It really shows all of the emotions that a person can go through, in the end it is a great conversation starter. The kids and I, talk about jealousy and what to do when we feel that way. They love that a little boy, younger then them, writes these books. It has really made them see that they can do anything in life that they want to. It is well written and thoughtful.”
Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy Blog Tour
About the Authors
Lisa Cohn and Michael Cohn, age 6, are an award-winning mom-son team. They have appeared on the Today Show, on SiriusXM Radio, in Disney’s Babble, in the Oregonian, on AM Northwest, and in many other media. Their first book, Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence, won a Mom’s Choice Silver Award and was named finalist, USA Best Book Awards. Lisa’s articles have appeared in national publications, including the Christian Science Monitor, Mothering, Mamalode, Parenting and Brain, Child: The Magazine for Thinking Mothers. Michael reviews children’s books on the authors’ YouTube channel. His video reviews are filmed in taxis, libraries, ski lodges, bookstores, parks and gyms! Lisa and Michael visit schools in person and via Skype.
Their latest book is the children’s book, Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy.
For More Information
• Visit the authors’ website.
• Connect with the authors on Facebook and Twitter.
• Find out more about the authors at Goodreads.
About the Book:
Title: Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy
Author: Lisa and Michael Cohn
Publisher: Canines and Kids Publishing
Pages: 40
Genre: Children’s/Pets
Format: Paperback
From an award-winning Mom-Son team featured on the Today Show, Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy is a contemporary boy-and-dog book. Bash’s dog, Lucy, helps coach his soccer team, and Lucy leads the team to the championships by kissing the players and making them laugh. But Bash is overcome with jealousy when Lucy enchants a team of Special Olympics kids who say they want her to coach their team. Can Bash overcome his jealousy and learn to share Lucy with kids who say they need her? This is Book Two in the Bash and Lucy series, following Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence, a Mom’s Choice Silver Award winner and finalist, USA Best Book Awards.
For More Information
• Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy is available at Amazon.
• Pick up your copy at Barnes & Noble.
• Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.
Book Excerpt:
At every game, Bash’s dog, Lucy, trotted around the field in her blue coach’s hat and shirt. She led Bash’s team to victory with her four-legged leadership skills.
She smothered the players with kisses, cheered them with happy yaps, snuggled with them when they made mistakes, and offered a friendly paw to every team they beat.
Watch the book trailer!
Presented by:
www.PumpUpYourBook.com
For My Thoughts, please visit: