“The
Boston Terrier Who Thought He Was a Loon” - A children’s book by Windham
teacher Michelle Patch
By
Walter Lunt
One
year ago, the furthest thing from Michelle Patch’s mind was to become an
author. It was the heartbreak of losing a beloved family pet, 15-year old
Rollie, her Boston terrier that compelled Patch to write his story. It became
therapy to overcome grief.
Based
on real events, “The Boston Terrier Who Thought He Was a Loon”, illustrated by
Maine artist Thomas Block, and tells the warm and amusing tale of Rollie, who
lives with his human family on Thomas Pond in Raymond. Rollie is curious and
playful and discovers a new friend along the shore, where he spends most of his
summer days. The newcomer, he discovers, is a lot like him: It’s black and
white, swims, and sings a greeting. As the season progresses and wanes, Rollie
dives after tennis balls, rides a paddle board and scans the waves in search of
his new feathered friends - the loons. He watches them dive, feed on fish and
interprets their call as a greeting, which he returns with a happy bark. One
day, Rollie’s friends disappear. Block captures the beauty of the changing
seasons on the pond. Rollie watches and waits.
Rollie’s
story charms the reader with its subtle, yet powerful themes of friendship,
sense-of-place and the delight and pleasure of family pets.
“I
tried to capture the energy, fun and magic that was Rollie,” Patch told the
Eagle in her office at Windham Primary School, where she is a counselor; “It’s amazing
to me how it’s having the effect of joy on the kids. I haven’t yet had a
negative review.”
The
book is a hit with the K-3 classes at the school. “I liked the details,” said
Mallory, a first grader; “Rollie swims with the kids and the loons eat the fish.”
She pointed to a picture of Rollie jumping off a boat to greet a loon that
quickly disappears under water. “I liked when he jumped,” she said, then added,
“It was cool, but dangerous.”
“When
Rollie died last year, I couldn’t stop thinking about him,” said Patch. “Then I
made the connection - he was one of my three great passions: Thomas Pond, loons
and Rollie. They meshed together into this story.”
Popular
and successful children’s books exhibit characteristics of strong characters, a
relatable story, wholesome messages and striking pictures. “The Boston Terrier
Who Thought He Was a Loon”, has all
of them and is recommended for kids of all ages.
Michelle
Patch will be at Windham Public Library on March 6 to discuss her maiden
journey as a writer and to sign copies of her book. Readers can also visit: www.michellepatch.com. <
