Billie Kelpin is the author of the picture book, Lucky, the Left-Pawed Puppy.

I have found a great addition to any read-aloud library, and had to talk to the author, Billie Kelpin. She is a former teacher of the deaf/hard of hearing, sign language interpreter, and worked as a college writing tutor. Billie currently has written this fabulous picture book, Lucky, the Left-Pawed Puppy. Set in Hollywood, this adorable story helps children learn about differences being strengths. In my discussion with the author, Billie Kelpin shared her childhood inspirations, what she enjoys about being a children’s author, and what writing means to her.

• What is your favorite memory from reading as a child?

Billie Kelpin: My mother loved to memorize poems and stories and she would recite them to me at bedtime rather than read them to me. She’d tell me the story of “Wonderful Tony”, a rooster who couldn’t swim. The repeating rhythm of the words was especially appealing to me: “Tony became thinner and thinner, and sadder and sadder.” This story was actually a tale of altruism. When Tony got “outside of himself” and helped a little robin, his life turned around. I think of that story often.

• Who was your favorite author and how did they influence you?

Billie Kelpin: No one famous was ever my favorite author instead, I loved reading Father Francis Finn’s books. He was a Jesuit who wrote twenty-seven young people novels that resembled “The Hardy Boys” and Dickens stories a bit. His books influenced me with the high-minded morality. (You could only find them in our school’s library). The main character was “Tom Playfair” who was always challenged to do the honorable thing and always won out over his impetuous nature. Then, when I was around eleven or twelve years old, the Milwaukee Journal featured a Sunday Magazine section that featured essays from “The Art of Living” by Wilfred Peterson. While these essays seem quite dated now, reading them each week made me fall in love with the creative non-fiction genre.

• Do you have a writing routine?

Billie Kelpin: I wish I were the kind of writer who could wake up at five in the morning and write; I can’t. I find routines in any aspect of my life difficult. I think I would be more productive if I were more disciplined. I tend to simply write when life doesn’t interrupt me.

• What subjects would you like to write about in future projects?

Billie Kelpin: I tend to have several projects going on at once. I’m not sure if this is characteristic of being left-handed or not. I plan to continue to write pieces on being left-handed. I’m presently attempting to finish my first novel, a coming of age story set in the Vietnam era. Another ongoing project is an app I created called, “The Perfect Husband App” which consists of a list of phrases every spouse loves to hear along with short excerpts that explain why those phrases are helpful in everyday relationships. I want to add more personally narrated stories and essays to my “Stories to Go” app and hope to convert a short story called “Sylvia” that appeared in the Lost Coast Review into a screenplay.

• What is writing to you in one sentence?

Billie Kelpin: To borrow from Walt Whitman, writing to me is simply acknowledging that ‘the powerful play goes on and we can contribute a verse’.

Lucky, the Left-Pawed Puppy is a read-aloud for children ages 4-8. With adorable illustrations by artist Julie Parker, we are drawn into Lucky’s self-discovery journey. As a follow-up, matching games, online flashcards, and narration of the story can be found at the website: www.leftpawedpuppy.com. Parents and teachers will love this as an addition to their library. It is a great book for teaching understanding of differences that all children can appreciate.

Lucky lives under the “H” of the Hollywood sign with his owner, Mrs. Poppyset, and his two puppy brothers. But he has a problem. He often does things the opposite direction of others. While his brothers lead with their right paws, he leads with his left.

Things change when William T. Stagent, the Hollywood agent, books them for a Bow-Wow-Chow-Now commercial. But Lucky has trouble following Hector the Director’s cues. Lucky turns left while his brothers turn right. Leslie, a famous dog trainer, is called in to look over Lucky and discovers he is left-pawed. Just as she is showing what to do be done, an earthquake hits the studio. Lucky saves the day, and it is all thanks to his left-pawed ability of naturally turning left.

Lucky, the Left-Pawed Puppy is on sale at Amazon.com and through the website, www.leftpawedpuppy.com.

Link here for my recommendation of Lucky, the Left-Pawed Puppy.