1. What inspired you to write this book?
The Crayon Caper was inspired by two things I love
deeply: children learning to read with confidence, and the quiet magic that
happens when a therapy dog walks into a room.
Archer and I visit schools, libraries, hospitals, and nursing
homes as a therapy dog team. I have seen children soften, smile, try again, and
open up when Archer is nearby. He does not need to do anything dramatic.
Sometimes he simply sits beside a child, rests his head nearby, or offers a
calm presence.
The other piece of inspiration came from a librarian who told me
there were not a lot of beginner chapter book mysteries for young readers. That
stuck with me. I loved the idea of creating a gentle, school-based mystery for
children who are ready to move beyond picture books but may not yet be ready
for longer, more complex middle grade novels.
I wanted to write a story where the dog was not a talking
cartoon sidekick, but a real therapy dog whose body language, calmness, and
connection with children help move the story forward. I also wanted the mystery
to be kid-safe and engaging: exciting enough to make readers turn the page, but
never too scary for the age group.
2. What exactly is it about, and who is it
written for?
The Crayon Caper is a school-based mystery about a
classroom where all the crayons have disappeared, a trail of glitter, a
classroom full of suspects, and one very observant golden retriever named
Archer.
The story is written for elementary-age readers, especially
children who are transitioning from picture books into chapter books. It has
short chapters, illustrations, mystery clues, humor, and heart. It’s written
with teachers, librarians, parents, and reading specialists in mind because it
naturally opens the door to conversations about friendship, anxiety, empathy,
problem-solving, and paying attention to what others might be feeling.
At its core, it’s a cozy mystery for kids. But underneath that
mystery is a story about noticing, kindness, and learning that sometimes a
child who makes a mistake is not a “bad kid.” Sometimes they’re a kid who needs
help.
3. What do you hope readers will get out of
reading your book?
First, I hope kids enjoy the story. I want them to feel that
wonderful “just one more chapter” feeling.
Beyond that, I hope readers come away with a better
understanding of therapy dogs and the real work they do. Archer does not solve
the mystery by talking or performing tricks. He helps by being calm, observant,
and connected to the people around him.
I also hope children see that feelings can be clues too. Worry,
embarrassment, jealousy, fear, and guilt all show up in classrooms, even when
children do not know how to name them yet. If readers finish the book feeling a
little more compassionate toward themselves and others, that would mean
everything to me.
4. How did you decide on your book’s title and
cover design?
The title The Crayon Caper came from wanting
something playful, memorable, and a little mysterious. I liked the
alliteration, and I loved that the word “caper” feels mischievous without
feeling scary. That was important because this is a mystery for young readers,
not a dark or frightening story.
For the cover, I wanted the design to tell readers exactly what
kind of book they were picking up: a school mystery, a lovable therapy dog,
colorful clues, and a story with warmth. I also wanted kids who are
transitioning into chapter books to feel like, “This is a big kids book.” These
readers are growing in confidence, and the book needed to feel exciting and
grown-up enough for them, while still being approachable and inviting. The
chalkboard-style series banner helps establish the school setting, while Archer
and the crayon elements make the mystery feel kid-friendly and inviting.
The cover had to do a lot of work. It needed to appeal to
children, reassure adults, and clearly signal that this is part of a larger
series: Archer the Therapy Dog Mysteries.
5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have
for fellow writers, other than run!?
Remember the promise you are making to your reader.
For me, the promise is not just “there will be a mystery.” The
promise is that young readers will feel safe, curious, encouraged, and
emotionally understood while they read it.
I would also tell writers to be willing to revise the parts they
love, and to invite feedback from the people they are actually trying to reach.
Sometimes a sentence or scene may be beautifully written, but if readers are
confused, distracted, or not connecting with it, it may not be serving the
story. That is hard to accept, especially when it is a part you love, but it is
necessary.
I had friends, teachers, and even a fifth-grade English class
read early versions of the manuscript and give me feedback. Their responses
helped me see what was working, what needed to be clearer, and what young
readers really connected with. Some of that feedback led me to revise scenes I
was attached to, but the book became stronger because of it.
And finally, don’t underestimate the value of your real-life
experiences. The things that feel ordinary to you may be the exact details that
make your book feel authentic to someone else.
That is why I include information about real therapy dogs at the
end of the book. In the story, Archer does some things that would never happen
in the real world, and I wanted to be very clear about that. I love the fun of
fiction, but I also feel a responsibility to help children and adults
understand what therapy dogs really do, how they are trained, and what safe,
respectful therapy dog interactions look like.
6. What trends in the book world do you see,
and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading?
One of the biggest trends I see is that authors are expected to
do so much more than write the book. Writing the book is the part I understand.
What comes after the book is published is the part I struggle with: marketing,
outreach, social media, bookstore events, school connections, newsletters, and
all the behind-the-scenes work of helping readers actually find the book.
I think that is where publishing is heading, especially for
independent and small-press authors. Authors are not just writers anymore. We
are also community builders. We have to know who our readers are, how to reach
them, and how our books can serve them.
In the children’s book world, I also see a growing need for
books that are both enjoyable and useful. Parents, teachers, and librarians are
looking for stories that support reading confidence, social-emotional learning,
classroom conversations, and children who may need a little extra
encouragement.
My hope is that even as the industry changes, we do not lose
sight of what matters most: meaningful stories, authentic voices, and books
that help children feel seen, supported, and excited to read.
7. Were there specific experiences in your
personal life or career that came in handy when writing this book?
Absolutely. Both of my Archer books are rooted in my work with
Archer as a therapy dog team.
In real life, Archer visits places where people may be nervous,
lonely, overwhelmed, or simply in need of a little comfort. I have watched
children read aloud to him when they were hesitant to read to adults. I have
seen students light up because a dog noticed them. I have seen children connect
with Archer in ways that reminded me how much communication can happen without
words.
One of the children who inspired my writing is an autistic
student we see during our regular school visits. His way of noticing Archer,
understanding his body language, and explaining what Archer might be
communicating helped inspire Charlie, one of the main characters in The
Crayon Caper.
I have also seen Archer’s presence help during emotional
moments. Once, a child was overwhelmed, and the adults were doing everything
they could to support him. Archer quietly lay down beside him and rested his
head on the child’s knee. Within a few minutes, the child’s body began to
settle. Archer did not “fix” anything. He simply offered calm, steady
companionship in a moment when that child needed it.
Those experiences helped me write Archer realistically. He is
not a magical dog. He is a therapy dog, and his power is in his presence.
My school visits and reading events also helped me understand
what keeps children engaged. Young readers want humor, mystery, pictures,
movement, and emotional honesty. I tried to bring all of that into The
Crayon Caper, while staying true to the real work therapy dog teams do.
8. How would you describe your writing style?
Which writers or books is your writing similar to?
I would describe my writing style as warm, accessible,
educational, gently humorous, and emotionally grounded. Both of my Archer books
are rooted in helping people understand the benefits of therapy dogs,
especially the way a calm, well-trained therapy dog can support children
emotionally, socially, and academically.
My first book, Archer the Therapy Dog: A Read Together
Book, is both a picture book for children and a grown-up book for the
adults reading with them. It was written to help children understand what
therapy dogs do, while also giving parents, teachers, librarians, and other
adults a clearer picture of how therapy dog teams can support connection,
confidence, and reading.
The Crayon Caper is written for a slightly older reader.
It is a cozy illustrated chapter book mystery, but it is still educational at
its heart. The story teaches children about therapy dog behavior, body
language, empathy, anxiety, problem-solving, and the power of noticing how
others feel.
I hesitate to compare myself too directly to other writers, but
in spirit, my books combine the warmth of animal-centered stories, the
accessibility of early chapter books, and the practical classroom usefulness of
social-emotional learning books. My goal is to write stories that children
enjoy, adults trust, and schools can actually use.
9. What challenges did you overcome in the
writing of this book?
One of the biggest challenges was balancing the mystery with the
emotional story.
For young readers, the plot needs to move clearly. The clues
need to make sense. The chapters need to be short enough to feel manageable.
But I also wanted the emotional arc to matter. I did not want the child at the
center of the mystery to become a villain. I wanted readers to understand why
someone might make a poor choice, and how a caring classroom community can
respond.
Another challenge was writing Archer accurately. It would have
been easy to make him too human or too magical. But Archer is a dog. He does
not talk. He does not teach lessons with words. He notices, responds, comforts,
and helps children feel safe enough to be brave.
Keeping him realistic while still making him central to the
mystery took a lot of careful revision.
10. If people can buy or read one book this
week or month, why should it be yours?
They should choose The Crayon Caper if they
want a kid-safe mystery with heart, humor, and a golden retriever who helps
follow the clues.
Inside the story is a gentle mystery that keeps kids turning
pages, while quietly opening the door to conversations about feelings,
friendship, and the real-life comfort therapy dogs can provide.
For children, I hope it feels like an invitation to be curious,
brave, and kind. For parents and educators, it opens the door to conversations
about feelings, problem-solving, and the real benefits of therapy dogs.
There are also free downloadable coloring pages, word finds, and
other activities on my website, www.ArcherTheTherapyDog.com, so folks can extend the fun after the last
chapter.
About Ther Author: Katie Baron is a children’s book author,
therapy dog handler, and the proud “momma” of Archer, a golden retriever
therapy dog. Through her books, school visits, and community programs, Katie
helps children feel brave, calm, connected, and excited to read. Her newest
book, The Crayon Caper, is the first in the Archer the
Therapy Dog Mysteries series, a cozy illustrated chapter book series
inspired by real therapy dog work and designed for young readers who are ready
to move from picture books into chapter books.
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For
the past three decades, Brian Feinblum has helped thousands of authors. He
formed his own book publicity firm in 2020. Prior to that, for 21 years as the
head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and as the
director of publicity at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many
first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with
best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen,
Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard,
Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C.
Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler.
His
writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s
The Independent (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/whats-needed-to-promote-a-book-successfully) and (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/10-things-my-dog-taught-me-about-marketing-books). He was recently interviewed by the IBPA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0BhO9m8jbs
He
hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and
has spoken at ASJA, three times at BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers
Association, Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod
Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, five
times at Morgan James Publishing Red Carpet, and Connecticut Authors and
Publishers Association. He served as a judge for the 2024 IBPA Book Awards.
His
letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal,
USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester)
and The Washington Post. His first published book was The
Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook. It
was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.
Born
and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids,
and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog.
You
can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/ or https://www.facebook.com/brian.feinblum
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