Every book has a story-behind-the-story. This book has three.
1) In January 2017, then nine-year-old Olivia Van Ledtje invited me to record a “LivBit” with her at the launch party for Fenway and Hattie and the Evil Bunny Gang. Of course I agreed (even though I had yet to learn what a “LivBit” was). On camera, she suggested that I write a book where Fenway meets a Pomeranian named Coco. An idea was planted.
2) Later that year, my wise editor, Susan Kochan, suggested that Fenway and Hattie’s family might go on a trip. The idea sprouted.
3) I thought of my own family’s experiences with our dog, Kipper. The time he capsized our boat and lost our gear in the river. The time he drank so much seawater that he threw up on the beach. The time he “defended” our tent from anyone who walked by and nearly got us kicked out of the campground. These not-so-fond memories mashed up with the group camping tradition at my kids’ elementary school. The idea bloomed. And the book practically wrote itself.
But writing is only the first step in a book’s life, just as buying a tent is only the beginning of a camping trip. Fenway and Hattie in the Wild came about thanks to the help and support of many extraordinary professionals and friends.
A forest full of thanks to my agent, Marietta Zacker, for showing me the ropes. I cannot imagine this adventure without her as my trusted guide. And s’more thanks to the rest of the team at Gallt & Zacker. I feel so lucky to have these ladies in my camp.
Endless gratitude to my brilliant editor, Susan Kochan. Her kindness, wisdom, and professionalism are as big as the great outdoors.
A chorus of birdcalls for the rest of the team, especially Jamaica Ponder, for a fresh reading and fresh perspective; Wendy Dopkin, for cleaning up my messes; Trevor Ingerson, for making a splash with social media and the One School, One Book promotion; Susie Albert, for navigating trails to New England booksellers; Andrea Cruise, for planning and coordinating my classroom WRAD connections & beyond; Dave Kopka, for another tail-wagging cover and jacket; David Kreutz, for yet one more drool-worthy dog photo; and illustrator Kristine Lombardi, for the paw-some sketches at the head of each chapter.
Enormous thanks to my home base, the trusted readers of this story who kept me on the right path (and helped me find my way when I strayed): Bridget Hodder, Cheryl Lawton Malone, Theresa Milstein, Lisa J. Rogers, Elly Swartz, and Donna Woelki.
A bonfire of appreciation for librarian luminary Shannon Miller and her extremely enthusiastic students. Unveiling this book’s fiery red cover with them was an experience I’ll never forget.
Ranger hats off to all the dedicated educators and book nerds whose blogs and posts and real-life book talks have enabled the Fenway and Hattie series to trek into so many libraries, classrooms, and homes. I wish I could list everyone, but I want to give extra-special thanks to Margie Myers-Culver, Cynthia Merrill, Jason Lewis, John Schumacher, Donalyn Miller, Pernille Ripp, Michele Knott, Lesley Burnap, Rayna Freedman, Melanie Roy, Nikki Mancini, Becky Calzada, and Bobbi Hopkins. Their incredible guidance and generosity, particularly over this past year, was more than I could have ever imagined.
A round of campfire cheers for teacher Tracy Mitchell and her third graders of 2017–18 at East Clayton Elementary in Clayton, North Carolina, and Amanda Bonjour and her library full of students from Cody Elementary in Le Claire, Iowa, who named Titan the three-legged German Shepherd and Midnight the black Poodle, respectively. I can’t wait for readers to meet these two aptly named characters!
If I could camp out anywhere in the world, it would be inside an independent bookstore. I’m so thankful for all the passionate booksellers who have helped get my books into the hands of readers. Special shout-outs to Peter H. Reynolds and Margie Leonard at The Blue Bunny, Kathy Detweiler and Bill Grace at Buttonwood Books, Lynnette at Henry Bear’s Park, and Lisa Fabiano at An Unlikely Story, who regularly go the extra mile and beyond.
Mountains of thanks to the teachers, parents, and administrators of every elementary school I’ve visited this past year. Connecting with kids, particularly in a school setting, is an absolute honor and joy. To everyone who made those opportunities possible, you are the brightest stars in the night sky.
To my most cherished author buddies—Elly Swartz, Bridget Hodder, Cheryl Lawton Malone, and Lygia Day Penaflor—I would be truly lost without your love and friendship. You ladies are everything.
Kudos to my family, who are always ready to pitch in whenever I need anything. My amazing uncle Walter Swartz designed the Fenway cutout and the Books in the Kitchen logo, my brother Matthew Coe created two of the book trailers, and my son James Baker-Coe composed, performed, and recorded the music for all three trailers and also developed the Fenway and Hattie interactive game (victoriajcoe.com/play).
Lastly, love forever to my husband, Ralph, and my sons, Philip and James, who showed me the fun of camping—even if they say it’s not real camping until someone complains!