Yukon Dogs: Phil Finds a Friend is a children’s book aimed for children two to five years old. It tells the story of a Yukon dog, Phil, who goes on an adventure around the Yukon, to find a friend. He meets a lot of animals along the way in the beautiful Yukon scenery, but none of them can or will be his friend.
Why did I decide to write a children’s book?
Last year, my husband and I decided we’d try for a baby. As soon as we started trying for a baby, I realized I wanted to write a book that I could read to them. And so, I started storyboarding my book.
I knew I wanted it to be about my Yukon rescue dogs, Phil and Charlie.
I knew I wanted it to take place in the Yukon.
I knew I wanted it to be colourful and fun.
So what kind of story could I write that would send dogs around the Yukon? The story evolved into Phil finding a friend in the Yukon.
Being told “you’re not good enough,” and loss …
As I started drawing my characters, Phil and Charlie, I was reminded of my youth. I used to love drawing and art, but my high-school art teacher told me I had no skill. And you know what? I believed her. So I stopped doing art. I’ve always been creative but thought I was never good enough for “real” art. I’ve written stories and, once again, in high school, was told by my English teacher that I wasn’t very good. My writing style was too personal. Too upfront. So I just stopped—for so many years.
It took me a long time to begin writing again (well into my twenties), and people began telling me my stories were incredible and I should write them down. So I did. I started writing my own blog, thinking that the words just went into the universe and that perhaps some blank faces would read them. Maybe not. But I started receiving comments and messages telling me how much my story inspired them, helped them, made them laugh. Not everything was always positive. To be honest, most comments were negative.
So when I started drawing my characters, I would look at them so analytically. I would think to myself, Wow, this is bad. People will think this is bad. Why am I doing this? At first I thought this would be something just for me and my future baby. Maybe no baby, who knows.
Then suddenly I was pregnant! I felt this need to quickly get this book done.
Trying to figure out how to make my drawings look better, I realized I needed to digitize them. I realized I needed an iPad with its fancy iPad pen. And it changed the game! I read online how to make 2D drawings more three-dimensional, as well as adding in layers. Self-teaching myself, I started drawing the different pages to my storyboard …
Then I lost the baby. I stopped drawing. What was the point?
A Yukon book well-loved
It took some time, but eventually I started drawing my book again—until finally it was done. And guess what? I was pregnant again!
I decided to trial the book and see if there was any interest. Worst case, I would be out a bit of money if they didn’t sell. I ordered 100 copies of the book and, quickly, people were buying them, including Mac’s Fireweed Books.
People were telling me how much they enjoyed the story and asked who did my artwork. It has given me validation that I don’t need to be a perfect artist but to tell a good story in a colourful and fun way.
Although this book won’t make me any money, I love being able to share this story with everyone.
My story explores areas near Whitehorse, Watson Lake, Haines Junction, Keno City and Carcross, and it includes animals such as bears, caribou and lynx. The book is available for direct purchase by emailing [email protected] and at Mac’s Fireweed Books. Yukon Dogs: Phil Finds a Friend will also be available at all of the local craft markets this fall and winter.
