Book - Here's Trouble!
Genre - Picture Book
Road to Publishing - I self published because I was working at the time with an outstanding illustrator, Annette Nicolas and a fabulous printer, Jerry DiFazio of Daily Printing. Initially, I thought of going the traditional route; but after a meeting with a Random House executive, I realized my message of hope might be better received by the masses than the publishing houses. She absolutely loved the concept but felt at the time it might be a little out of the box for old school children’s publishers. So I forged ahead and got it done on my own.
Book Synopsis - When Sheila Duncan’s niece was 12, she found herself surrounded by adversity. The family experienced three cancer losses in a very short time. This devoted aunt then suggested they sit down together and write a book about it. The result was the creation of a gutsy, huggable, inspiring dog named - Trouble. As the book begins, Trouble finds himself abandoned on the streets of New York City with his siblings in a box. The story is about hope and resilience and how you can never give up. Trouble is eventually adopted by a kindly grandmother and he then makes sure two other pups in need are adopted as well. The ending is a happy one with this very unusual family curled up, warm and safe, with the words “hope … believe and dream” written in stars in the night sky.
There are slogans that accompany Trouble The Dog which are so important for children in today’s world. They are “Where There’s Trouble, There’s Hope”; “When Trouble Comes, You’re Never Alone”; "Trouble Can Help With What's Troubling You".
More About Trouble - Trouble The Dog has gone from the drawing of a child trying to help other kids going through tough times to a global symbol of hope. The book was such a success that a Trouble plush toy was created, along with Trouble-inspired jewelry, and T-shirts and quite possibly, an animated children's television series. Quite simply - Trouble helps kids deal with things that are troubling them.
Author Sheila Duncan spends countless hours reading the Trouble story and donating Trouble plush dogs and books. She has been warmly received when presenting Trouble The Dog to families affected by overwhelming circumstances – including victims of the Boston Marathon bombing, the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut and the Haiti earthquake.
She has generously given Trouble toys and books to families at children's hospitals, residents of nursing homes, VA Hospitals and over a hundred plush Trouble dogs and books were given to the Shriner's Hospital For Children and the Children's Miracle Network. Sheila is constantly on the go - performing readings, guest speaker engagements, author signings and visiting children at hospitals across the country.
Sheila and the character she created, Trouble The Dog have been featured on CNN’s American Journey, The USA Love List, Magic 106.7’s Exceptional Women Entrepreneurs, MSNBCs Your Business as a Socially Conscious toy; North Shore Magazine’s Top Women Entrepreneurs, a Finalist in Martha Stewart's “Made in America”, and Success Magazine’s “Seniorprenerus” series.
It is Sheila’s mission to brand Trouble The Dog as a global children’s character, giving hope to kids around the world.
Disclosure - The questions were answered by the spotlight person in conjunction with my new feature. I have not read the books. I received nothing for this post.
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