Phoenix Intern

We've seen this clichéed storyline over and over again—a young child gets into trouble and his faithful canine companion is there to save the day. But what happens when the dog is caught in an unfortunate situation and it is now her turn to rely on others and her own instincts to return safely home?

Young readers are invited to find out what happens to main character Murphy in the first installment of the Murphdog® series, So, Where's Murphy?, when she finds herself in a predicament and must avoid a collection of troubles along the way. Murphy is not alone in her adventure, however. Furry friends and foes add twists and turns to the story as she tries to find her way home after making an unwise decision to follow a friend.

The Murphdog® series was not something written completely from imagination. The book's Creative Designer, Jenna Robbins, with the help of author Audrey Handler and illustrator Jackie Dion turned Jenna's passion for dogs into a work of literary art. "I bred a dog many years ago called a Murphdog®," said Jenna, who has worked in many fields specializing in dogs. "It is so beautiful and unique and they had such great personalities and everyone said 'you should make toys that look like them and write books about them!'" Since then, Murphy and her other live pals have been the inspiration for the series.

The idea began as a book for very young children and toddlers, but after a transformation, the final decision was for the books to appeal to a slightly older audience. "I thought the best thing to do was to bring it to a level of 8 and up and make it an adventure story," said Audrey.

Based on "live dogs that have a registered trademark," the Murphdog® series aims to answer the question "What would you do if?" By putting Murphy in various predicaments, children become familiar with how to deal with similar situations. "We help kids make good choices and that's what we promoted. We try to keep it from being preachy. It's not corny," said Audrey, "but in there is a

sliding door mentality of 'what are the ramifications if you go this way?'"

An important aim of the Murphdog® series is to let kids remain kids. According to Audrey, the books are a "throwback to a gentler type of time when childhood was a little more innocent, but we still warn about the dangers out there."

"There's too much neck biting going on out there!" Audrey exclaimed. "There's got to be something nice out there for children. Something sweet, something darling. And it doesn't have to be boring."

With So, Where's Murphy? available for purchase since this past April, the trio, also known as the Murphdog® Moms, is aiming for a 15 to 20-book series, touching on all kinds of topics younger children might someday encounter. "They're funny stories," said Audrey, "but they're always some kind of undertone of a lesson." Continued...

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"We don't want it to come across as an assignment for school because it really is not," Audrey commented, "but at the same time it would do well in a school library or on a school syllabus."

The books attempt not only to have an appeal with young readers, but the hope is that parents will want to join in on the fun as well. "It's like the family going to see Finding Nemo or Madagascar, where the whole family could enjoy it," Jenna said.

Throughout this month, the Murphdog® Moms will be making appearances at the Wellington Book Store in Exton on November 14 and at the Vanguard School in Paoli on November 21. In attendance will be Murphy, the leader of the pack and star of the show. "Mobs of people that come to see her are so enchanted with her," Jenna said.

Fortunately, for those who wish they could have their very own Murphy, the Murphdog® Moms sell Must-Have-A-Murph®, a look-alike stuffed animal version of the canine celebrity. Must-Hava-Murph ® plush animals are available at murphdogandcompany.net and can be purchased at Paw Prints in the Exton Square Mall.

"Everyone is in love with Murphy." Jenna said, noting Murphy's fame, "It's what she represents." Pretty soon, Murphy is going to need her own publicist.

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• See Full Story

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Phoenix Intern

We've seen this clichéed storyline over and over again—a young child gets into trouble and his faithful canine companion is there to save the day. But what happens when the dog is caught in an unfortunate situation and it is now her turn to rely on others and her own instincts to return safely home?

Young readers are invited to find out what happens to main character Murphy in the first installment of the Murphdog® series, So, Where's Murphy?, when she finds herself in a predicament and must avoid a collection of troubles along the way. Murphy is not alone in her adventure, however. Furry friends and foes add twists and turns to the story as she tries to find her way home after making an unwise decision to follow a friend.

The Murphdog® series was not something written completely from imagination. The book's Creative Designer, Jenna Robbins, with the help of author Audrey Handler and illustrator Jackie Dion turned Jenna's passion for dogs into a work of literary art. "I bred a dog many years ago called a Murphdog®," said Jenna, who has worked in many fields specializing in dogs. "It is so beautiful and unique and they had such great personalities and everyone said 'you should make toys that look like them and write books about them!'" Since then, Murphy and her other live pals have been the inspiration for the series.

The idea began as a book for very young children and toddlers, but after a transformation, the final decision was for the books to appeal to a slightly older audience. "I thought the best thing to do was to bring it to a level of 8 and up and make it an adventure story," said Audrey.

Based on "live dogs that have a registered trademark," the Murphdog® series aims to answer the question "What would you do if?" By putting Murphy in various predicaments, children become familiar with how to deal with similar situations. "We help kids make good choices and that's what we promoted. We try to keep it from being preachy. It's not corny," said Audrey, "but in there is a

sliding door mentality of 'what are the ramifications if you go this way?'"

An important aim of the Murphdog® series is to let kids remain kids. According to Audrey, the books are a "throwback to a gentler type of time when childhood was a little more innocent, but we still warn about the dangers out there."

"There's too much neck biting going on out there!" Audrey exclaimed. "There's got to be something nice out there for children. Something sweet, something darling. And it doesn't have to be boring."

With So, Where's Murphy? available for purchase since this past April, the trio, also known as the Murphdog® Moms, is aiming for a 15 to 20-book series, touching on all kinds of topics younger children might someday encounter. "They're funny stories," said Audrey, "but they're always some kind of undertone of a lesson."

"We don't want it to come across as an assignment for school because it really is not," Audrey commented, "but at the same time it would do well in a school library or on a school syllabus."

The books attempt not only to have an appeal with young readers, but the hope is that parents will want to join in on the fun as well. "It's like the family going to see Finding Nemo or Madagascar, where the whole family could enjoy it," Jenna said.

Throughout this month, the Murphdog® Moms will be making appearances at the Wellington Book Store in Exton on November 14 and at the Vanguard School in Paoli on November 21. In attendance will be Murphy, the leader of the pack and star of the show. "Mobs of people that come to see her are so enchanted with her," Jenna said.

Fortunately, for those who wish they could have their very own Murphy, the Murphdog® Moms sell Must-Have-A-Murph®, a look-alike stuffed animal version of the canine celebrity. Must-Hava-Murph ® plush animals are available at murphdogandcompany.net and can be purchased at Paw Prints in the Exton Square Mall.

"Everyone is in love with Murphy." Jenna said, noting Murphy's fame, "It's what she represents." Pretty soon, Murphy is going to need her own publicist.

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