Meet Charmaine Hammond, Author of On Toby's Terms, Toby the Pet Therapy Dog and His Hospital Friends and other books.
What inspired you to become a children's author?
When my book On Toby’s Terms was released, which is an adult book, we toured schools and events, many of them child and family related. Toby our dog, and the star of the book, provided us with many great stories that were appropriate for children. His story is full of life lessons such as kindness, believing in dreams, being a good friend, patience and not giving up. In speaking to more than 10,000 students it became clear we needed a children’s book that featured Toby’s story and lessons. The first in a series is Toby the Pet Therapy Dog & His Hospital Friends.
How did you come up with the idea for Toby the Pet Therapy Dog and His Hospital Friends?
Watching children connect with our dog Toby, I knew we had to have a book about Toby, that children could hold in their hands. The most beautiful part of this book for me is the fact that my best friend, Rose Anne Prevec, who I met when I was a little girl, 5 years of age, is the illustrator. This really is a book about and created through friendship!
How many books have you written?
I have written five books and have been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul- what I learned from the dog (Sept 2009)
· On Toby’s Terms (Bettie Youngs Books, Sept. 2010)
· Toby The Pet Therapy Dog & His Hospital Friends (Bettie Youngs Books, Aug. 2011)
· GPS Your Best Life (to be released Sept 2012)
· Toby the Pet Therapy Dog Says Be a Buddy Not a Bully (to be released Sept 2012)
· Bounce Forward (April 2011)
What was your favorite book as a child?
I had many….The Velveteen Rabbit, Stuart Little, Charlotte’s Web, Curious George and Jonathan Livingstone Seagull to name a few.
Your book is being made into a movie. What does that mean to you as an author?
It is exciting…incredibly exciting. The notion of having my book, and my life, in a feature film for the world to see is a thrill. Through this process I discovered that sometimes the world has a plan that is much bigger than the one we have for ourselves, I discovered this when my book was signed to become a major motion picture.
What do you hope children will learn from your books?
It is my hope that children will learn how good it feels to be kind and to help others. I also hope that children will learn the role that animals can play in healing and providing unconditional love to people. And, the value of being a good friend.
Are you currently working on other books?
Yes, I am working on another children’s book, and a book for authors, to help them sell and market their books utilizing some of the interesting and successful tips we have learned along the way.
You can find out more about Charmaine Hammond and her books by visiting www.hammondgroup.biz.
When my book On Toby’s Terms was released, which is an adult book, we toured schools and events, many of them child and family related. Toby our dog, and the star of the book, provided us with many great stories that were appropriate for children. His story is full of life lessons such as kindness, believing in dreams, being a good friend, patience and not giving up. In speaking to more than 10,000 students it became clear we needed a children’s book that featured Toby’s story and lessons. The first in a series is Toby the Pet Therapy Dog & His Hospital Friends.
How did you come up with the idea for Toby the Pet Therapy Dog and His Hospital Friends?
Watching children connect with our dog Toby, I knew we had to have a book about Toby, that children could hold in their hands. The most beautiful part of this book for me is the fact that my best friend, Rose Anne Prevec, who I met when I was a little girl, 5 years of age, is the illustrator. This really is a book about and created through friendship!
How many books have you written?
I have written five books and have been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul- what I learned from the dog (Sept 2009)
· On Toby’s Terms (Bettie Youngs Books, Sept. 2010)
· Toby The Pet Therapy Dog & His Hospital Friends (Bettie Youngs Books, Aug. 2011)
· GPS Your Best Life (to be released Sept 2012)
· Toby the Pet Therapy Dog Says Be a Buddy Not a Bully (to be released Sept 2012)
· Bounce Forward (April 2011)
What was your favorite book as a child?
I had many….The Velveteen Rabbit, Stuart Little, Charlotte’s Web, Curious George and Jonathan Livingstone Seagull to name a few.
Your book is being made into a movie. What does that mean to you as an author?
It is exciting…incredibly exciting. The notion of having my book, and my life, in a feature film for the world to see is a thrill. Through this process I discovered that sometimes the world has a plan that is much bigger than the one we have for ourselves, I discovered this when my book was signed to become a major motion picture.
What do you hope children will learn from your books?
It is my hope that children will learn how good it feels to be kind and to help others. I also hope that children will learn the role that animals can play in healing and providing unconditional love to people. And, the value of being a good friend.
Are you currently working on other books?
Yes, I am working on another children’s book, and a book for authors, to help them sell and market their books utilizing some of the interesting and successful tips we have learned along the way.
You can find out more about Charmaine Hammond and her books by visiting www.hammondgroup.biz.
Stacie Theis / beachboundbooks@yahoo.com / copyright 2012