Book Birthday Blog with Dori Durbin

 

Welcome to SCBWI-MI's Book Birthday Blog!

Where we celebrate new books from Michigan's authors and illustrators. 

 

 Congratulations to Dori Durbin on the release of Little Cat and Dog's Birthday Bake: A Recipe for Caring

 

How did you come up with the idea for your book?

I had just been to a school visit for my second picture book, Little Cat Feels Left Out. The second-grade kids gave me ideas for the next books and a few classrooms asked, “Why don’t you have any chapter books yet?”  I took the ideas home and started brainstorming a list of what activities some second and third graders might wish they could do themselves.  How did those activities relate to my super independent Little Cat character? I came up with a long list, but I personally loved the idea of trying to bake a cake . . . even though most of my cakes were (and still are) flawed in some way! There was always great joy in creating and giving someone an edible gift. Since this was my first chapter book, I followed Kate DiCamillo’s Mercy Watson series as a model text. I also found I had to really dig into the emotional pieces . . .  Why didn’t Little Cat want help? Why was Dog so greedy? Would these characters readily take advice? It was great fun!

What is something you hope your readers will take away from your book?

I’m really hoping readers take away Little Cat and Dog’s own epiphanies:
    •    It’s okay to ask for help.
    •    Being independent is good, but being a good friend is better.
    •    Kindness and caring don't need to be perfect.

What inspires you to write?

My writing brain wants to create through pictures first. I love to draw– and have illustrated all my books. So, when I see people interacting, asking questions, or emotionally connecting, my brain hones in and starts to create stories about what could be happening. It’s like I’m looking for the story to the pictures I see! This past October, I put on a parenting conference, “Little Kids, Big Feelings” based off emotional situations I saw in the schools…the conference made me even more aware that there are so many books that could be written!  I really feel like today’s busy parents need better ways to emotionally connect with their young kids… and as writers, we can serve as an approachable vehicle to get those conversations going! 

The Little Kids, Big Feelings Conference

What's next for you?

More chapter books! More illustrating! And possibly another parenting conference! I have so many ideas . . . if only I had more time!

What are your marketing plans for your book?

My book marketing plans so far include free Ebooks days (Jan 19-21), my amazing Launch Group, a Launch Party, Amazon ads, Influencer Reviews, Interviews, and (hopefully) lots of classroom visits! Oh! And overwhelming excitement for the future!

A little bit about the book . . .

Today is Dog's birthday! So, what could possibly go wrong? Well, for starters, Dog's best friend, Little Cat forgot to get Dog's Birthday gift. And Dog's own greediness might make him miss his birthday party all together! Filled with humorous twists and gut-exploding fun, join an energetic and excited Dog as he learns that there's more to friendship than just food. And when Little Cat tries to bake a cake for the very first time, she finds that she can't do it all on her own. Will Dog's greediness ruin his party? Can Little Cat bake the perfect cake at the last minute? Readers explore themes of friendship, independence, gratefulness, and will experience moments of spontaneous chuckling.

A little bit about the author . . .

Dori Durbin grew up most of her life in a small town in Michigan.  After earning a BA in English and a secondary teaching certification, Dori taught high and middle school English and Science classes for ten years. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Human Services specializing in Schools & Communities.

After an illness, she switched gears and began her career as a certified personal trainer and fitness instructor. She also began to pursue her passion of being an artist and author. She currently still lives in Michigan with her amazingly smart and talented family: husband, son, daughter, three pleasantly pampered indoor cats, and her old Great Dane. She has written three books in her Little Cat Feelings Series: Little Cat Needs Space, Little Cat Feels Left Out, and Little Cat & Dog's Birthday Bake: A Recipe for Caring.

https://www.doridurbin.com/

https://www.instagram.com/dori_durbin/ 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1090977115006009/ 

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20306534.Dori_Durbin