Writer Jacqueline Sheehan, author of the bestselling novel Lost & Found, spoke last night at the Westhampton Public Library. Most of Jacqueline’s books have a dog as one of the main characters. In Lost & Found, and the sequel Picture This, a black Lab named Cooper is a central character in the book. Why dogs? Jacqueline draws from her background as a psychologist when developing her characters, and she knows very well the importance dogs play in comforting and healing those in need. Rocky, the main character in Lost & Found, is suffering from the sudden death of her husband when she and Cooper meet. It’s a page-turner! I couldn’t wait to read the sequel.
I felt Lily’s presence at the Author Talk was most appropriate. As a Bright Spot Therapy Dog, Lily comforts and heals many folks she visits, and as a Reading Buddy, Lily loves listening to books being read to her each week by the children at the Westhampton Elementary School. I was going to take my therapy dog James to the talk, but I figured that Lily, a blue Belton English Setter (as opposed to James’ orange spotting) was the closest thing to a black Lab! (Lily looks quite black from a distance.) Of course, as a well-trained Reading Buddy does, Lily sat listening to how and why Jacqueline incorporates dogs as characters in her books. A subject of great interest to me and many others. Along with Lost & Found and Picture This, I highly recommend Now & Then. I love books involving time travel – and the dog character in Now & Then is a sweet, mystical Irish Wolfhound!