Yesterday I gave you my 5 star review of The Dog’s Of Winter by Bobbie Pyron.  You can read it here.  Today it is my pleasure to have here at So Many Precious Books as my guest. Please welcome Bobbie Pyron, Author of the amazing book, The Dogs of Winter.  Hi Bobbie, thanks so much for joining us today.



 1. Please tell us a bit about yourself.


 I’m the author of three books, THE RING (2009), A DOG’S WAY HOME (2011) and THE DOGS OF WINTER (2012). I’ve also worked as a librarian for over 25 years, so needless to say, I’m passionate about books! The other great, over-riding passion in my life is dogs. I have three dogs (all rescues)—two are Shetland sheepdogs and the other one is a coyote mix. I volunteer with several different rescue organizations here in the Park City, Utah, area. When I’m not writing or working at the library, I’m usually out on the trails hiking, skiing, or running with my dogs and my husband. I also have a tattoo J


2. What was your inspiration for writing The Dogs of Winter.


In 2005, I read a magazine article about feral children. The article opened with the story of four-year-old Ivan Mishukov, a homeless child who lived with a pack of street dogs from 1996-1998. Since I’ve always suspected I am more canine than primate, I’ve been fascinated by feral children for a long time! I was completely enthralled by Ivan’s story. I knew as soon as I read about Ivan and the dogs that I had to write a novel about them.

3. I loved the book so much and would love to know more.  Is there anything else you can tell us about the story that wasn’t in the book and/or which is the best, one resource where we can find out more.


There was not that much for me to go on, where the real Ivan Mishukov’s story is concerned. All I was able to confirm (to my satisfaction) about his story is this: he was forced from his home at age four to live on his own on the streets of Moscow. He was adopted by a pack of feral street dogs and lived exclusively with them as one of the pack for two years. After three attempts, the authorities finally managed to separate Ivan and the dogs. Ivan was captured and taken to an orphanage there in Moscow. The dogs did track him there, and howled outside the orphanage entrance for several nights. Because of this, Ivan was moved to an orphanage outside of Moscow. I was never able to determine for certain what happened to Ivan after that. Everything else beyond these bare-bone facts in the story are my imagination.


4. You’ve  written two “dog” books, A Dogs Way Home and The Dogs of Winter will there be more?  What’s next?


I have a really fun middle grade novel coming out sometime in 2014. I should have more details about this new book posted on my website by the end of February, so stay tuned!


 I would also like to add that I don’t really see THE DOGS OF WINTER as a “dog story.” Rather, I see it as a story about what makes us human and what defines “family” and what defines “civilized.”


5. Are there any question in the interviews that you would have like to have been asked?


That’s a good question! Maybe, “What did you enjoy most about writing THE DOGS OF WINTER?” As with all my books (and writing fiction, in general) the part I love the most is creating characters and getting to know them. Once that character finds its voice and springs to life, I like to just get out of his/her way, sit back, and watch what they do and who they are. I will tell you that in THE DOGS OF WINTER, the character I most enjoyed getting to know was Rudy. He’s the character I find myself, even now, thinking about most often. Some readers may see Rudy as “the bad guy” or a bully, but I have a real soft spot for him. He haunts me.


Thanks again for joining us today, Bobbie!

About Bobbie Pyron:


Bobbie was born in Hollywood, Florida and spent her growing up years up in the panhandle, swimming in the Gulf of Mexico and dreaming of being a mermaid.  She has degrees in Psychology and Anthropology, and a Masters degree in Library Science, and has worked as a librarian for over twenty-five years.


Her first book, a novel for teens titled The Ring (WestSide Books), was published in October of 2009. Her second book, A Dog’s Way Home (HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Books), was published to starred reviews in March of 2011. The Dog Writers Association of America recently awarded Bobbie the Maxwell Medal of Excellence and the Merial Human-Animal Bond Award.  It was also named a Banks Street Best Books of the Year.


Her new book, The Dogs of Winter (Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic), came out October of 2012. The Dogs of Winter is a Junior Library Guild Selection and a Kirkus Best 100 Children’s Books of the Year. Bobbie lives in Park City, Utah with her husband, three dogs, and two cats.



 Now for the giveaway, thanks to Bobbie, I am giving away one print copy.  Sorry, this giveaway is open to the U.S. only and ends on March 1, 2013.  Please use Rafflecopter to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow the Tour:
Pages of Forbidden Love Jan 30 Review                                 
So Many Precious Books Feb 7 Review
So Many Precious Books Feb 8 Interview & Giveaway
Sweeps 4 Bloggers Feb 11 Review & Giveaway
The Wormhole Feb 12  Review
The Wormhole Feb 13 Interview
My Devotional Thoughts Feb 13 Review
A Book Lover’s Library Feb 14 Review
A Book Lover’s Library Feb 15 Interview
As I Turn the Pages Feb 18 Review
Haunting Orchid Feb 19 Review
Books a la mode  Feb 20 Interview & Giveaway
Geo Librarian Feb 22 Review
Geo Librarian Feb 25  Interview & Giveaway
Lovey Dovey Books Feb 25 Review
Book Journey Feb 26 Review & Giveaway
Bookhounds Feb 27 Review
Book Snatch Feb 28 Interview & Giveaway

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