Meet Local Author Margaux Olverd: The Story Behind "A Small Dog Story"
"Dogs might be able to get away with anything."
Have you ever walked into a grocery store and seen a dog licking the produce? Or spotted a furry friend somewhere they probably shouldn't be? If so, you'll absolutely understand the inspiration behind local author Margaux Olverd's delightful new children's book, "A Small Dog Story."
We sat down with Margaux to talk about her charming tale of Miss Nancy, a fed-up restaurateur on a mission to figure out why dogs are suddenly everywhere, and what it's like being a new mom who decided to write a children's book.
The Spark of Inspiration
"I saw a dog licking produce in the grocery store and could not get it out of my head," Margaux shares. "I was fascinated by our social norms shifting. All the places mentioned in the book are real places I've seen dogs. Some places forbid dogs, but you can always find someone sneaking their dog into a public place."
This observation became the foundation for a story that's both hilarious and surprisingly timely. Miss Nancy's quest to understand the sudden dog takeover reflects something many of us have noticed but maybe never put into words.
Writing as a New Mom
For Margaux, becoming a mother brought its own creative challenges and revelations. "Becoming a mom can be a real identity shift," she explains. "I've always loved writing, so it felt like I was doing something for 'me' even though it's a children's book."
The transition from writing for adults to creating children's literature came naturally, especially with the influence of her aunt and collaborator, illustrator Susan Finnigan. "Susan has a wonderful collection of vintage children's books. We read through these and loved all the stories. They felt so different from the children's literature of today. Each story felt personal, easy to re-read, and so charming. We wanted to create something that had a little wink of humor for kids."
Creating Miss Nancy
The character of Miss Nancy, the exasperated restaurateur at the center of the story, is "complete fiction," according to Margaux, "but might be, in a small part, based on me serving dinner to my extended family and finding a few dogs seated at the table."
It's this kind of real-life absurdity that makes the book so relatable for both kids and adults. The story works on multiple levels - kids love the silly premise of dogs taking over everything, while parents chuckle at the social commentary.
Making Reading Special
As both an author and a parent, Margaux has thoughtful advice about encouraging a love of reading in children. "I frequently skip sentences I don't like, or make up whole new stories from the same books," she admits. "But the absolute best way to make reading time special is singing books, reading books in accents, or whispers."
Her approach is refreshingly honest about the realities of parenting: "Something I've learned as a parent is how little control you have over what your child enjoys, so sometimes you are reading a book about trucks 5-10 times a day."
For parents looking to get kids excited about books, Margaux recommends Dolly Parton's Imagination Library ("It's so fun. And free.") and suggests creating special reading routines: "Find a time of day that you set aside to read books together, make a special reading area, and rotate in new material."
Her book-selection strategy is beautifully practical: "I thrift a ton of books and hope a few of them stick. Then we take the 'duds' to the little library or donate them."
The Creative Process
The collaboration between Margaux and her aunt Susan was refreshingly analog. "We shared a love for vintage books and got to sharing ones we loved. Later, once we had the concept, we went back and forth on individual paintings for each page. Everything was very analog. We did the book layouts on dining room tables, and we did lots of tweaking based on dogs we saw out in public."
The biggest challenge? Taking the project seriously. "There are millions of books published every year. It's a very competitive space. I had to admit to myself that I wanted to take it seriously. It wasn't just a pet project. That meant designing, editing, printing, and marketing it like a professional."
The uncertainty about whether kids would actually enjoy the story was nerve-wracking. "I've accidentally written this story for myself and hoped kids would find it funny. It wasn't until a few children enjoyed it that I breathed a sigh of relief."
What Kids (and Parents) Take Away
When asked what she hopes children get from Miss Nancy's adventure, Margaux's answer is perfectly cheeky: "Dogs might be able to get away with anything."
But the book works for parents too. "Adults tend to really enjoy the design of the book. I think they like that it's hardcover and brightens up a kid's room. It had to have adult appeal."
Finding "A Small Dog Story" Locally
You can find "A Small Dog Story" at several local spots, including Godmothers Books in Summerland and Upstairs at Pierre Lafond in Montecito - perfect for your next family bookstore adventure.
Our Giveaway
We're excited to be partnering with Margaux for a special giveaway of "A Small Dog Story"! This beautifully illustrated hardcover book is perfect for families who love clever stories, gorgeous art, and maybe have noticed a few too many dogs in unexpected places themselves.
The story captures something both timeless and completely current - the way our world keeps changing in small, funny ways that kids notice just as much as adults do. Sometimes the best children's books are the ones that make everyone in the family smile for different reasons.
Follow along on our social media for giveaway details and more local family content that makes Santa Barbara life with kids just a little bit easier (and a lot more fun).