ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN DE MODE NOVEMBER 2023 VOL VI. ISSUE XXXVII | LITERATURE
Article Published on: 09TH JAN 2024 | www.demodemagazine.com
"A TALL TALE ABOUT DACHSHUNDS IN COSTUMES: HOW MORE DOGS CAME TO BE" BY AUTHOR KIZZIE ELIZABETH JONES
A Tall Tale About Dachshunds in Costumes: How MORE Dogs Came to Be by Kizzie Jones Illustrated by Scott Ward A tall tale about dachshunds, who dress up one day, And want to stay dressed up forever that way! Behold a dear friendship and dreams that come true. Some become other breeds, still, their kindness shines through!
A troupe of dachshunds plays dress-up in strewn-about vegetation after an autumn storm. Just like young children, they love their new costumes and don't want to change. Through the power of love and magic, they stay in their costumes and overnight become other dog breeds. Each new dog finds the perfect home where its unique gifts are valued.
Native Pacific Northwest foliage and typical coastal storms provided the ideal setting for the charmed tall tale. Illustrator Scott Ward (ScottWardArt.com) cleverly captures the fanciful make-believe along with true-to-life depictions of nature.
The use of anapestic tetrameter (think ʼTwas the Night Before Christmas) provides the rhythmic momentum to carry out the whimsical adventure of transformation.
In the whimsical world of dachshunds and their eight newfound dog breeds, curiosity leads to delightful adventures. These playful pups, each with their unique traits, explore a colourful landscape teeming with diverse vegetation. With wagging tails and eager noses, they learn about new plants and discover the hidden secrets of the wild.
Over the years, close friends teased me about not including other dogs in my stories. I laughed, “Other dogs are just dachshunds in costumes.”
Seeing my own doxies covered in leaves or twigs after a walk became the recipe for a perfect magical makeover and gave way to a new Dachshund Tall Tale with the message that it’s what’s inside us, rather than our outside, that matters, and makes us who we are in the world. This heartwarming narrative captures the essence of transformation and inner beauty, reminding us that our true selves shine through, regardless of outward appearances.
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JOURNEY OF THE AUTHOR KIZZIE ELIZABETH JONES
Kizzie Elizabeth Jones’ first nationally published work was an essay, “Echoes of Ephesus,” in Chaplaincy Today (2002) about her experiences on 9/11, while co-leading a tour for Seattle area elders in Turkey.
Kizzie became intimately acquainted with grief at a young age, losing a husband at 30 and five years later, losing her 14-year-old son. She chose to be a spiritual care provider for people during times of transition and loss. Over the years her writings primarily focused on non-fiction topics: inspirational, travel, and nature.
Then came the fateful day when Kizzie and her best friend Edythe were at a restaurant on the Oregon Coast. They found placemats with funny tall tales on each table, and both laughed and laughed. Finally, Edythe said, “Kizzie, our assignment this week is to each write a tall tale!” Edythe, being a fiction writer, had hers done within a day.
Close to the end of their vacation she asked Kizzie how her tall tale was coming along. Cringing, Kizzie admitted to not having written one word. But Kizzie was determined to keep the promise to her best friend. She sat down and pondered their enchanted week: different dachshunds every day, the lowest tides of the year exposing sea creatures to explore, and for three days a pod of whales spouting just off the coast. This magical time and Edythe’s challenge unlocked a window into writing fiction Kizzie never knew was possible. The rough draft Kizzie wrote became her first picture book, How Dachshunds Came to Be: A Tall Tale About a Short Long Dog.
This enchanting journey into the world of tall tales introduced Kizzie to a diverse community of authors, young and old, and curious readers eager to embark on adventures through her storytelling. It's a testament to the power of creativity and how one person's imagination can bridge gaps and bring people together from all walks of life. Kizzie's initial solitary endeavor has blossomed into a vibrant and inclusive world, where stories and connections flourish, proving that the magic of storytelling knows no bounds.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE AUTHOR - www.kizziejones.com
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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW OF AUTHOR KIZZIE ELIZABETH JONES WITH DE MODE
Q: Your Tall Tales children's book series features dachshunds discovering diversity and sharing kindness. What inspired you to write stories centered around these themes and characters?
A. Growing up in the military, moving frequently, and living in foreign countries, I know what it feels like to be seen as “the other.” The acts of kindness offered to me are forever imprinted on my being. So, too, the times when people have been intentionally unkind. Such wounds, even after healing, leave scars. May we choose to be kind.
Q: The third book, "Dachshunds in Costumes," includes illustrated glossaries. How do these glossaries enhance the reading experience, especially for young readers?
A. I provided the glossaries so that readers could further explore new terms without breaking the flow of the story with explanations. Many educators and readers have expressed delight with the information about dachshunds, dogs, and the foliage of the Pacific Northwest in the USA.
Q: What is it about dachshunds that you find so endearing and fitting for your stories? Are there personal experiences with dachshunds that inspired your series?
A. Absolutely! My parents brought home my first dachshund, Dagwood, when I was 18 months old and lived in Munich, Germany. He was my constant companion. My fondest memories are of walking with my Omi (grandmother) and Dagwood on the beach in Monterey, California. Dachshunds’ long bodies, short legs, and flapping ears in the wind bring out the playful me..
Q: Your books have received several awards, including recognition from Chanticleer Little Peeps, Notable Indie, National Indie Excellence, Readers' Favorite, and Write on the Sound. How has this recognition impacted your author journey?
A. Thousands of books are published every day. Having reputable organizations review and give recognition to my tall tales gives me a confidence boost as well as signaling to readers that the books have merit. I find award celebrations stimulating, renewing my energy to continue writing, publishing, and marketing..
Q: "A Tall Tale About Dachshunds in Costumes: How MORE Dogs Came to Be" won the 2019 First in Category Little Peeps Book Awards. Can you share more about the story behind this book and the message it conveys?
A. Friends teased me about not including other dogs in my stories. I laughed, “Other dogs are just dachshunds in costumes.” Seeing my own doxies covered in leaves or twigs after a walk became the recipe for a perfect magic makeover. The deeper message: it’s what’s on the inside that matters, regardless of outward differences.
Q: Your writing is part of The Edmonds Writing Sisters anthology. How does being part of an anthology differ from your experience as a children's book author?
A. Collaboration is key. The Writing Sisters is a group of five contributors with each person having the same weight in decision making. Respectful deep listening is vital so each person can see themselves in the final successful product. As an indie author and publisher, I also work with a team, however, the final decisions rest with me.
Q: "Writing in Place" is a diverse compilation of prose, essays, vignettes, and more from The Edmonds Writing Sisters. Can you share what inspired the group to come together and create this anthology, and how your contributions reflect the essence of the project?
A. Seven of us began meeting monthly in 2003 to share our writing. Over seventeen years two members passed away. We realized life was moving on and we felt the urgency to gather favourite pieces to commemorate our years together. The diversity of backgrounds, personalities, and genres is a group strength. Each native voice adds to the essence of the anthology.
Q: In your Tall Tales series, what do you hope young readers take away from the adventures of the dachshunds and the themes of diversity and kindness?
A. I hope each time the books are read, seeds are planted to further the cause for a gentleness of spirit for all humanity and nature. Picture it: a world of friends delighting in the whimsy of life, bringing out the best in one another. I can think of no greater legacy.
Q: You also have a colouring book associated with your second book. How does this interactive component enhance the overall?
A. In 2016 when A Tall Tale About a Dachshund and a Pelican was published, coloring was all the rage—not only for children, but adults, as well. I found fans especially enjoyed this coloring book edition. I have continued providing downloadable coloring pages on my website Activities Page. This is a fun way to offer a takeaway from my website.
Q: Can you tell us about your future projects and what readers can look forward to from Kizzie Elizabeth Jones in the world of children's literature?
A. I look forward to my Tall Tales flourishing by connecting with dachshund lovers and literary events for readers of all ages. I’m working on a series of memoir vignettes—gathered into a collection—like pearls on a necklace—each vignette a stand-alone yet enhancing the whole. My theme is integrating loss into life and transforming despair into hope. These stories weave a tapestry of resilience, showing how loss can be integrated into life, ultimately transforming despair into hope.