Today we are very excited to share an interview with author Dev Petty!
Read on to learn more about the author, the book, and a giveaway!
Meet the Author: Dev Petty
DEV PETTY is the author of many books for kids, including Claymates, Moth & Butterfly: Ta Da!, and The Bear Must Go On. She teamed with illustrator Mike Boldt on the first book about Chip, Don’t Eat Bees: Life Lessons from Chip the Dog, as well as I Don’t Want to Be a Frog and Elmore the Christmas Moose. Dev lives in Berkeley, California, with her husband, daughters, a snake named Boots, and two dogs that may or may not have tangled with cats.
About the Book: Don’t Trust Cats: Life Lessons From Chip the Dog
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Chip the dog from Don’t Eat Bees is back, with more “wisdom” to share, including some hard-won life lessons about cats. From the favorite picture book comic duo of Dev Petty and Mike Boldt.
Chip has been described as very smart and also a dog. And because he’s a very good boy, he’s going to share his tips on how to live your best life, namely: Don’t trust cats. Not even the little, fluffy ones with big eyes. Nohow, no meow.
Trust the squirrel you always chase, trust grandpa (sure, he cheats at cards but he always has treats), and trust that skunk (he seems nice. What could possibly go wrong?). Do NOT trust cats, especially not Mittens.
In this fabulously funny pet story, dog AND cat lovers will enjoy seeing their own fur-friends in Chip’s earnest yet ridiculous guide to life.
~Author Chat~
YABC: What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
Not what! Who? Chip. I think he’s one of my most favorite characters to write. I felt like Chip’s point of view about the Universe—positive, earnest, and well-meaning—could inspire more wisdom and ultimately more stories. He’s perhaps not that bright, but ultimately SURE of himself, positive, hopeful. Also, I have always had dogs and cats. I have two of each now, and it’s such fun to watch their antics.
YABC: Who is your favorite creature in the book?
Well, owing to my answer above, I do have a deep love of Chip. But I think Mittens is kind of the sleeper star of these books. I can almost see writing a whole series just about Mittens! I also love the animals Mike created throughout. Skunks, girl scouts, and the orange and black cats which look just like my two furry friends.
YABC: When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
Not until I’d been married almost 20 years and had a whole career in visual effects. When I had my kids, I couldn’t quite manage the 80+ hour weeks. I freelanced and taught but missed the studio, so I started trying to find new ways to be creative. Writing was a unique challenge and one uniquely informed by working in film. Once I got into it, I developed a sense of my own voice and point of view. My first book, I DON’T WANT TO BE A FROG, did really well and I honestly had no idea what I was doing. So, I’ve kind of been building the picture book plane in the air for a while. I’d like to think I’m improving!
YABC: What word do you have trouble overusing?
I’m not a super formal writer so it’s words like “and” and “also” which show up a lot. They’re conversational. But I’m sure there are a few silly words I use or try to get in there. I try pretty hard not to fight these things though. I’ve learned the more “me” I am in my approach to writing—the more punchy, strong, distilled—I am more successful. So, I am trying, more and more, not to hedge my bets and just write how and what I like and use the word TERRIFIC a lot. That’s a great word right there.
YABC: What hobbies do you enjoy?
Well, I do a lot of ceramics which I like very much. I have my own kiln but I’m pretty new at all of this so while I’m quite good at building things, I’m a bit meh at glazing them. I enjoy it though, along with drawing, cooking, baking, reading, and playing a little guitar. Mostly though? I like playing cards with my husband, hanging with my extraordinary daughters, walking my dogs, cuddling with my cats.
YABC: What do you do when you procrastinate?
I don’t procrastinate…who told you I procrastinate?
I have a funny thing where I need to do almost everything else in my life before I start writing. OR, I can start writing straightaway in the day and do nothing else at all. There is no middle ground.
When things aren’t working, I walk the dog, clean the house, call my dad (he loves this, really), bother my husband, play with the cats…
I am not a “butt in chair” kind of person day after day, though I’d like to think I am in the bigger picture. I work hard, just not at predictable times or in predictable ways.
YABC: What is your favorite holiday or tradition and why?
Well, for me it’s Shabbat. I know it’s a weekly holiday, but it matters to me and my family. It’s simply a pause, a little respite. We are a busy lot, so our Shabbat is not formal. We get or make a challah. We light candles. We talk about things we’re grateful for (btw, sometimes this is gummy bears or wi-fi). Sometimes we forget and then we have “make-up Shabbat” on Monday or Tuesday or whatever works. The pause is the important part.
YABC: What other age group would you consider writing for?
I do think I have a voice in there for longer form fiction, but I remain sure that picture books are for ANY and EVERY age. That said, I want to explore my skills in storytelling and I’m thinking of heading back to my art days—I was a film artist for a minute after all—and I’d love to write and illustrate a book. I should. I can. I want to. Wish me luck.
YABC: What’s up next for you?
It’s been a busy year or so and continues on that way! ELMORE THE CHRISTMAS MOOSE is out right now, and DON’T TRUST CATS (LIFE LESSONS FROM CHIP THE DOG) is inbound in January. Both are illustrated by the incomparable Mike Boldt. Then soon after is my book MONTY AND THE MUSHROOMS which may be one of the most wonderful and bizarre writing experiences of my life. Jared Chapman is illustrating and I’m trying to play it really cool because…Jared Chapman. THEN! The long-awaited follow-up to CLAYMATES, illustrated by my bestie Lauren Eldridge will find its way to the shelves.
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Title: DON’T TRUST CATS: LIFE LESSONS FROM CHIP THE DOG
Author: Dev Petty
Illustrator: Mike Boldt
Release Date: 1/2/24
Publisher: Doubleday Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0593706781
ISBN-13: 9780593706787
Genre: fiction/picture book
Age Range: ages 3-7
*Giveaway Details*
Five (5) winners will receive a copy of Don’t Trust Cats: Life Lessons from Chip the Dog (Dev Petty) ~ US Only!
*Click the Rafflecopter link below to enter the giveaway!*
Looks like a great book!
We enjoyed the first book. Can’t wait to read this one!
This looks great!!
This book looks great! Look forward to reading it!
This looks adorable! Can’t wait to add it to our TBR!
Being an uncle to five cats, my kiddo would be curious about this.
I love this cover and I know I will laugh while reading this hilarious book.
This book caught my attention for sure. Sounds like a great book. I bet it’s even funny. Adding to my list.
As a dog lover, I’m looking forward to reading this!