Book signing at Reader's Books, Sonoma

It was great to see old friends!

and make new ones

In good company at Barnes & Noble

Book Signing at Perrin Paris Beverly Hills

Publishers Weekly

"Hudson, a plucky terrier, can't wait to meet some French dogs while spending a year in Paris. Though Hudson sees many other dogs running errands with their owners, everyone is "so busy going places" that he isn't able to make friends. When he finally finds a dog park, another obstacle arises: the dogs only speak French ("Oh great," Hudson thinks. "I thought all dogs spoke Dog"). Hudson slowly absorbs the French language (thanks to lessons from—who else?—a French poodle), and debut author Mancuso includes a sprinkling of French words throughout, which are defined in a glossary. The story showcases Mancuso's playful, gouache paintings of Paris and its human and canine denizens (Hudson appears in roughly half of the images), and she gives Hudson a bold, amusing narrative voice tinged with self-righteousness ("Are you kidding me?" he grumbles, seeing a no-dogs sign at one park), and he ends the story on a droll note, announcing that he's becoming a real Parisian—"I mean Paris-chien."  Ages 3–6.

Book Signing at Between the Covers in Telluride

Storytime at pages, a bookstore

Today Jackie read to some little kids in Manhattan Beach. When she asked if anyone had ever been to Paris, one little boy raised his hand and said, "I was just there this weekend!" Who knows--maybe he was? When she finished reading, they passed out paper and crayons and everyone drew a picture of me!

bonjour tout le monde

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.