Two Lonely Dogs Looking for a Friend; Discover Henry and Lola. A Giveaway!
Do you ever feel like you’re looking for a friend? Someone to talk to, play with or just hang out around? That’s exactly what Lola was feeling, when she moved with her family from her home with its big backyard to a luxury urban hotel. Gone were her furiends, her romps through the grass. Now, she stared all day out of the window onto the cityscape below, leaving her soft bed only for walks around her noisy neighborhood. Read on to find out how to enter the giveaway!
Down in A; Up in B…Henry and Lola kept missing each other!
Here’s where the story begins in Henry and Lola: A Puppy Love Story by Keith Cohen with illustration by Roberta Paul. On the surface, it’s a simple tale of loneliness and newfound friendship. As Lola is settling in to her new home, described as “grand with style and flair. It was tall, it was shiny, with bright glass everywhere,” another puppy was moving in in another tower of the hotel. Henry, too, was noticing the distinct absence of other dogs.
But, they kept missing each other on walks, due to those darn different towers. She would go down in A, and he would come up in B! As the summer came and went, and they were both sad and lonely, it took a literal force of nature to finally bring them together. And oh! what a meeting it was!
When they first saw each other, they couldn’t believe their eyes! But, excitement took over and, despite being pulled inside their respective elevators, sheer determination drove them to deeds of derring-do. Finally…they met. And, this was the start of their Puppy Love Story.
About the author and the illustrator
Roberta Paul (2nd fr rt) and Keith Cohen at a Boston book signing
A delightful story! And, with the author a clinical psychologist who works with children, and the illustrator, a nationally and internationally exhibited artist, this isn’t your typical children’s book.
“I gave much consideration to the story,” Cohen shared. “It speaks to childhood concerns about change and transitions, loneliness and fears and the overcoming of obstacles.”
And, he gets it right, creating a charming tale that is ageless. Roberta’s illustrations are as intrinsic to the book as the prose. Utilizing cut-paper collage to create the visual backdrop, Paul’s work brought everything to life. The dogs and the landscape not only compliment the story, but they have an usual, really interesting look from the effect of the collage technique. It’s a painstaking, very detailed process, and she shared that it took longer than she anticipated (Roberta was also doing some public art work at the time). Although she told me this was a departure from her studio work, Paul really enjoyed it and thinks she’ll do more soon. We hope so!
Roberta’s work has been exhibited in major cities around the country, such as New York and Boston, as well as in Paris and Frankfurt.
Based on a true story of two pups looking for a friend
The real Lola and Henry, on whom the book is loosely based.
Another lovely aspect to this book is it is loosely based on true events of two puppies who were living at the Boston Intercontinental Hotel. Roberta shared, “Each of the puppies were experiencing difficulty adjusting to their new homes, often snarly or mopey, until one day they unexpectedly met each other. They instantly bonded and became inseparable. I was told this story from a friend of mine, who knew the puppies and their owners.”
After sharing the story with her husband, the author of the book, and saying she thought it would make a wonderful children’s book, three months later she received the manuscript as a surprise gift from Keith for her birthday. “It became our first artistic collaboration.”
Summary
I would highly recommend Henry and Lola: A Puppy Love Story for an entertaining conversation starter with your young ones, a sweet and quick read for your self or a lovely children’s gift. The age range on the book says 4 – 8 years old, but the story and its messages are timeless.
I would also recommend checking out Roberta Paul’s work; it’s beautiful!
To learn more about Roberta Paul’s work.
The Giveaway!
One lucky Bark & Swagger follower will receive an autographed copy of Henry and Lola. Entering is simple. Just join the Bark & Swagger email list, if you’re not already a part of our family. For extra points:
- Like us on Facebook
- Follow us on Instagram
- Like Henry and Lola on Facebook
- Follow Henry and Lola on Instagram
That’s it!
The giveaway will run from Monday, July 17th at 8am EST – Sunday, July 24, 2016, 11:59pm EST. Good luck everyone!
Does your dog have a best friend? Tell us your favorite best friend story!
I don’t have an instagram account, does that have to be a mandatory entry? My employer pays for my phone.
David, I am so sorry I didn’t see this until now. You can always enter; just email me at jody@barkandswagger.com and I’ll take care of it. Thank you!