Kamloops author Dennis Staginnus and his late cat Dopey.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED / Dennis Staginnus
October 14, 2020 - 7:00 AM
A Kamloops author has crafted a children's book featuring his dearly departed cat.
It's teacher-librarian Dennis Staginnus' first picture book, titled Oh No! Where Did Dopey Go? On the Ski Hill, starring his late cat named Dopey.
"I actually started writing and drawing this a couple years ago," Staginnus said. "I started imagining Dopey out in the real world, and would he like it, what kind of mischief he would get into, would he get lost?"
Dopey indeed gets lost, on a ski hill based on Sun Peaks near Kamloops. With the help of some animal friends, Dopey must find his way back home to his family.
Staginnus originally adopted Dopey from the SPCA, after he had remained there without a family for over a year.
"Dopey was with us for about sixteen years after that," he said.
Dennis Staginnus works on his children's book under the supervision of his current cat, Thistle.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED / Dennis Staginnus
The book features real photography with images of Dopey himself hidden in the landscape. It's designed as a seek and find, so children can read the story and look for Dopey in the photos too.
Although it is his first project for young children, Staginnus said he has become familiar with what kids like to read during his time as a librarian.
"When it comes to reading picture books, they really enjoy stories that have some kind of animals in them, that are funny and different," he said.
He has incorporated those elements into his own storybook.
Staginnus has also authored novels for middle grade students, including The Eye of Odin and The Emerald Dagger.
You can find all his novels in the Kamloops Chapters bookstore, in addition to Oh No! Where Did Dopey Go? when it goes to print.
Staginnus hopes to have the picture book finished and ready by Christmas, and you can order it through Kickstarter here.
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