Alexa Kober, an accomplished author with a remarkable gift for storytelling, introduces readers to a world of whimsy and wonder through her enchanting book “Dalli: The Dog with the Alligator Tail.” With a keen understanding of the magical intersection between imagination and heartwarming narratives, Kober invites us on a captivating journey that follows the endearing Dalli and his extraordinary adventures, crafting a tale that resonates with readers of all ages and underscores the power of friendship, courage, and embracing one’s unique qualities.
What inspired you to write Dalli: The Dog with the Alligator Tail?
Dalli: The Dog with the Alligator Tail is my way of having children (and their parents) feel seen, helping them make sense of their experience, and ultimately changing the world for good. The potential conversations that parents and teachers will have with their kids about what brings them anxiety when returning to school or going to school for the first time have truly inspired me. No one in this world should have to feel alone, and I believe that this book will open a lot of doors for children to connect with one another, find self-value, and recognize true friendship.
Can you tell us about the creative process behind the book and how you came up with the characters and storyline?
Dalli came to me in a dream about a dog with an alligator tail, who was worried about her first day of school. I woke up the next morning and said, “This would be a great children’s book.” Her mom being a dog and her dad being an alligator followed naturally. And, I really liked the idea of someone as quiet as a mouse (Ms. Brie) being an advocate for her students to find their voice and let their true colors show. I hopped on a call with a friend of mine, who was initially supposed to illustrate the book, and she helped me flesh out the idea that there should be other characters in school that can relate to being different and who would befriend Dalli for who she is. While the characters could have been any animal, I felt that things like blue noses and long rabbit ears were things that would visually attract young readers.
Did the book change significantly from its initial concept to the final published version?
I can’t say that the book changed drastically. I always knew that Dalli would go to school worried about her purple alligator tail, she would find friendship, grow to love herself, and be accepted for who she truly is. The scene where Dalli goes to school and sees that all of her friends have painted their tails purple to support her truly came as a surprise to me. The book would not be the same without that scene.
What messages or themes do you hope young readers will take away from your book?
I hope young readers will learn from Dalli’s journey with anxiety and understand the community that they have in their parents, teachers, friends, and all those who want to see them succeed. Everyone has something that makes them different or separates them from other people, but these are the things that will make us shine, not weigh us down. Once children learn to embrace what makes them different from their peers, I hope self-love empowers them to take on the school year and make new friends.
What advice would you give to aspiring children’s book authors who want to publish their work?
DO IT. Something that made me hesitant when writing this children’s book was knowing that I also want to be recognized as an author for adults and young adults. As writers, we are multi-dimensional and there is enough time and enough room for us to pursue more than one passion project. Plus, the impact that your story will leave on children is invaluable, and you never know how many children out there really need the stories that you are writing for them.
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