Kizzie Jones Media Kit
Short Bio
In her Dachshund TALL TALES children’s book series, Kizzie Jones uses whimsy to plant seeds of compassion, kindness, and honoring diversity, all while being owned by three dachshunds: long, short, and wire-haired.
Medium Bio
In her Dachshund TALL TALES children’s picture book series, Kizzie Jones uses whimsy to plant seeds of compassion, kindness, and honoring diversity, all while being owned by three dachshunds: long, short, and wire-haired. The TALL TALES series has two titles, with a third forthcoming, and a coloring book; the two first books are also bilingual tête-bêche format, flip-over two-books-in-one (Spanish, German, French).
Long Bio
Kizzie Jones is a dachshund lover and children’s book author, living by Puget Sound in Washington. In her Dachshund TALL TALES series, Kizzie Jones uses whimsy to plant seeds of compassion, kindness, and honoring diversity, all while being owned by three dachshunds: long, short, and wire-haired. The TALL TALES series has two titles, with a third forthcoming and a coloring book; these two books also have bilingual editions (Spanish, German, French) in tête-bêche format, flip-over two-books-in-one. Her forthcoming third book in the series, A Tall Tale about Dachshunds in Costumes: How MORE Dogs Came to Be, is due out in Spring 2019. Kizzie’s most recent Book Award is Chanticleer 2017 Little Peeps Book Awards for Early Readers First in Category.
Author Information
Website
Amazon Author Page
Goodreads Author Page
Suggested Interview Questions (these are for digging deeper into your story, your book journey, your “mission” than what your website and social media provide. Be conversational! Work in stand-alone quotes that can be picked up—maybe boldface them. Focus on your ideas, not just your books. What emerges from the books, from your stories. Are there interesting places these stories came from?) 15 questions—fewer are fine!
01. What is the appeal of your children’s books about dachshunds?
02. Why are you so interested in telling stories of dachshunds in particular?
03. It seems adults find your books comforting – why?
04. Why is there a strong theme of kindness and acceptance of diversity and compassion in all your books?
05. Why have you published your books in bilingual editions – Spanish, German, and French?
06. Has your coloring book been a popular activity for children?
07. What got you started writing these dachshund children’s books?
08. What has been the hardest part of publishing these 13 books?
09. Why did you call your series TALL TALES?
10. What has been most rewarding about publishing and promoting this TALL TALES series?
11. Do you plan to keep publishing in this TALL TALES dachshund series?
12. Tell us a bit about your new book—the third in the TALL TALES series.
13. Where have you traveled to distribute your books?
14. What are some reactions you’ve had to these books?
15. What is the appeal of writing children’s books for you?
16. You have a lot of sea creatures in your books—are they accurate or fanciful?
17. What do your books bring children?
(if you are up to it, a question about the children’s book market being so full, and how do you fit, what is your books’ special appeal)
Suggested Interview Topics
Why dachshunds?
Why children’s books?
Why the themes of compassion, kindness, and honoring diversity?
Why bilingual editions?
What have you learned from publishing all these books?
How do you find a place for your books in the busy children’s book marketplace?
Excerpts
How Dachshunds Came To B: A Tall Tale About a Short Long Dog Written by Kizzie Elizabeth Jones and Illustrated by Scott Ward (2012)
One evening as the whales planned their migration north, they noticed the little girl was crying. They said, “You look sad. What’s wrong?” “Oh dearest whales, you are my favorite friends. Yet, when you go out to sea, I go home alone. I long for friends who can stay. I don’t think you can help me, but thank you for caring.” And she blew them a kiss goodnight.
…
Soon the sea creatures realized no single one of them would be the right companion. So, they asked themselves, “What if we could create a completely new creature, who mirrored our special qualities?”
A Tall Tale about a Dachshund and a Pelican: How a Friendship Came to Be Written by Kizzie Elizabeth Jones and Illustrated by Scott Ward (2016)
Sadly, Goldie looked away. “We are not the same after all,” she said. I thought if we were alike, we could be friends. Maybe I should go.”
“Please stay. We can like each other without being alike. We just need to get to know each other better.
…
“Oh, I get it!” said Goldie. “Yes, the little girl and I are different, too. Yet we are very good friends.”
…
And that is how a friendship between a dachshund and a pelican came to be.
Special Effects
The text of the books often includes color and
fanciful type-play.
The bilingual books are in “tête-bêche” format, that is, they flip upside down, front to back.
Praise for Kizzie Jones’ books
This beautifully illustrated story is a delightful tall tale for early primary children, guaranteed to whet their curiosity about sea creatures and stimulate their imaginations.
An an Early Childhood teacher with over 30 years of experience, I know that this story would be perfect for initiating meaningful discussions and exploring “what if" questions.
~Marianne Stewart, Retired Early Childhood Educator on How Dachshunds Came To Be: A Tall Tale About a Short Long Dog
"I was so touched in reading Kizzie Jones' charming fable about a little girl and her sea creature friends. As a family counselor, I have often looked for helpful ways for parents to pass along values such as compassion to their young children. The fictional playmates of this little girl showed their caring for her by creating the perfect companions to ease her loneliness. Reading this book aloud to youngsters would open an easy path to such a lesson of love."
~ Ellin Snow, MSW Clinical Social Worker on How Dachshunds Came To Be: A Tall Tale About a Short Long Dog
Dachshunds and Pelicans and the Beach, oh my!! This enchanting book combines some of my favorite things to tell a story about friendship. A terrific gift for youngsters of any age.
~Edythe Ann Stromme, Co-founder& President Children's Caucasus Children's Relief Fund (CCRF) on A Tall Tale about a Dachshund and a Pelican
A delightful story to read aloud. In lovely language, set by the sea, a marvelous friendship story unfolds. The unique description of the dachshund and pelican similarities had my three granddaughters’ ears perk up. Their differences created opportunity for discussion.
I thoroughly recommend this book! ~AmazonReader, November 27, 2016 on A Tall Tale about a Dachshund and a Pelican
Author Kizzie Jones holding dachshund Josie