I am an artist and writer, and I’ve just published a children’s picture book about a dog who goes to live in Paris for a year.
In my book “Paris-Chien,” Hudson, an adventurous Norwich Terrier, moves to Paris for a year with his mom. He loves the new sights and smells, but when he tries to make friends, Hudson discovers the Parisian dogs don’t speak Dog, they only speak French. Nobody told Hudson about this part! He’s lonely and wants to go home. When his mom suggests going to French class, Hudson discovers other ex-pat dogs are in the same boat. Determined to make friends, he hits the books, studies, and things begin to look up. Hudson becomes a Paris-Chien!
The book carries a message for children about how to cope with change in their lives. Little Hudson’s desire to make friends and thrive in his new environment is so strong that he learns a new language.
Illustrated with colorful gouache paintings of Paris streets, parks, markets, cafes, and dogs, the story will entertain children (and adults) who like dogs and France. Some French words appear in the gouache illustrations, so the book also serves as an introduction to learning French – although Hudson’s successful experience will be consoling to any child set down in any new country, regardless of language.
