J.S. Silverstein Reveals Why 'My Dog is a Hog!' in Exclusive Author Q&A!
Children’s Book Editor Danielle Ballantyne Interviews J.S. Silverstein, Author of My Dog is a Hog!
“In the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed,” said Charles Darwin, allegedly. Survival of the fittest—and friendliest, it seems, wins the race. It is these mutually-beneficial relationships between species that gift us the Greek-derived word symbiosis—and we can quickly conjure up images of red-billed oxpeckers pecking insects off the backs of buffalo or pilot fish performing a similar service for sharks. But there is one symbiotic relationship you might not think to include: humans and dogs.
Yes, man’s best friend played a big role in homo sapiens march toward top dog status among fellow creatures on Earth, and today’s guest, J.S. Silverstein’s latest book explores the many different facets of that long, loving, food-driven—at least from a dog’s perspective—friendship.
We discovered My Dog is a Hog after the book earned a fantastic Foreword Clarion Review, and quickly set up an interview between J.S. and our Children’s Book Editor Danielle Ballantyne.
Enjoy!
Your book tracks the relationship between dogs and humans (and dogs and food) across time. While you were researching these various time periods, what’s something surprising or interesting you discovered?
I was inspired when I learned—and realized—how dogs have been part of the family since the beginning of time! So many roles dogs have played. Saving lives, guiding, sniffing, playing, and most of all, a loyal friend. And they always love a treat!
How did you decide which dog breeds were going to feature in the book?
I learned that there are over 340 different breeds of dogs! That would be a very long book if I included them all. Generally, I selected a breed that seemed right for the period shown in each image.
You mention that the book was inspired by your dog Tobi. Was there something in particular she did to inspire this tale?
Yes! One day, I was busy finishing up a document. Tobi kept whimpering. I knew what she wanted, but I was deep in thought and needed to finish. But she kept whining, and she knows that eventually I give in. So I gave her a treat, then returned to my computer. Just five minutes later, she came back, whimpering for more!
I stood up and proclaimed, “My dog is a hog!” and immediately knew this would be the title of my next book. And so it was.
You also mention your very first dog, Star. Was there an aspect of the book that was inspired by her, as well?
Star was the first dog in my life, back when I was just five. She was so playful and happy. That is when I first connected to the magic and joy of dogs. I still think of her. She stole my heart.
In the book, dogs sneak food from tables, pine around fires, and dream of peanut butter tubs. What’s a food-centric memory you have related to one of your dogs?
Tobi once had to have surgery on her back. While she was still recovering, I snuck in her favorite food to the hospital: salmon. She was bandaged and weak from the surgery. But, when she sniffed the treat I brought, she stood up for the first time! The vet later said she never saw such a rapid recovery!
Another time, I brought home fresh bagels, leaving the bag on the kitchen table. When I came home, the bag was empty! My son later discovered that Tobi had hid the bagels under pillows all over the house!
She made us all laugh!
Are you working on any other books or projects at the moment?
Working on a young adult, illustrated collection of poems, riddles, and aphorisms.
Working title: Second Thoughts. Also working on promoting other children’s books I wrote, while developing new ones!
My Dog Is a Hog!
Foreword Clarion Rating: 4 out of 5
Dogs and their amusing antics are the star of this energetic picture book, which traces human-canine relationships through time.
J. S. Silverstein pairs comedic storytelling with subtle history lessons in My Dog Is a Hog!, a picture book about the timeless relationship between human beings and dogs.
In multiple historical periods from 8000 BCE to the present day, dogs and their relationships with humans are depicted, with different breeds featured on most pages. Meanwhile, an unidentified narrator struggles to satiate their dog, who “loves to eat!” Whether through bones or belly rubs, they work to meet their peckish pup’s needs.
The prose is playful and utilizes jaunty end rhymes, as with “My dog is a hog, he always wants more. / If not from the table, it’s straight from the floor.” And the dog’s antics are amusing throughout, resulting in an energetic text.
The back matter includes educational animal facts such as that dogs “helped with herding livestock” in 3500 BCE, were “mighty guardians” in the 1200s, and served as “guard and patrol dogs” in the 1700s. A photograph collage of dogs alongside individuals of different ethnicities anchors the book’s central theme: “Dogs have always been there for us. As we are for them!”
Varied fonts, dynamic in their style and sizing, stand out against the computer-generated backdrops; many match their associated time periods, as where a script font is used to evoke the spirit of the 1700s. Some of the illustrations are blurry and pixelated, though. Others are absent nuance in their emotional expressions, and dogs are only shown sitting or lying with closed or open mouths.
My Dog Is a Hog! is an imaginative picture book that celebrates humans’ bonds with their furry companions.
Reviewed by Brooke Shannon October 15, 2024
Danielle Ballantyne
