It isn’t just about a cute dog and goofy humor.
Don’t get me wrong: A lot of the fun in creating and now sharing How to Make a Book (About My Dog) has indeed been the cute pooch and a sprinkling of silly — and occasionally groan-inducing — jokes, such as this one here.

Credit for much of the humor goes to Sarah Horne’s marvelous illustrations.
But I’m also excited about our revealing of 100% legitimate, behind-the-scenes information about the bookmaking process, not just in the main text but also in the detailed timeline at the back of this nonfiction picture book (published this past October by Millbrook Press/Lerner Publishing).

Two pages packed with kid-friendly research guidance
I’m particularly pleased with this “How to Find Out More About How to Make a Book (About My Dog) (and Everything Else)” research guide that we included — two pages packed with guidance so helpful that I plan to use it myself when I embark on my next nonfiction project.
And I’m just as excited and pleased to be giving away four personalized copies of How to Make a Book (About My Dog).
Subscribers to my monthly Bartography Express newsletter (folks can sign up here) are eligible for one of four signed copies.
If you’d like the winner to be you, by the end of February either say so in the comments below or email me directly, and you’ll be in the running. (U.S. mailing addresses only.)
Good luck, and here’s to you joining illustrator Sarah Horne, me, and the rest of the crew on Team Ernie!
Hi Chris!
I have 2 copies of “the dog book” (my granddaughter’s words), but I would definitely share one with a 6th grade teacher if I win.
Thank you for the opportunity! Have a great week.
Jennifer Sniadecki
My dog Harriet made me go back on my computer to immediately contact you. She is a huge fan- of your dog- and would love to sniff the signature while I read her the story. Or she will read it to me. It depends on the night.
What a clever way to explain this process. Yes, I’d love to win a copy of your book. I work mainly in the area of advocacy and organizing with grassroots nonprofits but my hobby is books. It’s my escape and expands my perspective!
Hi, Chris! School librarian here. I would love to win a copy of this book for our library. Thank uou for the opportunity!
Please enter my name for a chance to win a copy of your delightful book.
All of my students know what a dog lover I am! I would love to be able to tell them that I added this book to our library collection by winning it from the author…who has visited our school! Thank you for sharing your creative process in such an amazing way!!
I’d love to win a copy!
I would love a copy. It looks wonderful and as an author/illustrator myself, I don’t always have the answers to the questions that students ask me about how the story becomes a book. Congrats!
Jennifer, Samantha, Lesa, Laurie, Danielle, Denise, Susan, and Julie — you’re all in the running now! I can’t promise an eight-way tie for the four giveaway copies, but I’m nonetheless rooting for each of you.
Oh, I would love a copy for my school library! We are always on the lookout for books to outline the creative process, especially when it includes a dog. Fingers crossed!! Thank you, Amy
You’re now in the running, Amy — good luck!
I’d love a copy! I have a lot of aspiring writers in my classes who would love to read this, and I don’t own a copy yet.
Fingers crossed for you, Jessica!