J.M. NORTHUP's BLOG

Thursday, November 29, 2018

Spitzel and the Spider by Jo Ann Wentzel (Author), Janice Ducrepont (Illustrator)


Book Spotlight

1)    What is the title of your book?
                  Spitzel and the Spider
Ø  What is the story about?
It is a children’s book about the interactions of a cat and a spider.
Ø  Who is the main character?
·  The cat whose nickname is Spitzel.
2)   What inspired this tale?
Ø  How did the story come to you?
It was based on an incident while we were living and traveling in a motor home with our pets. A large spider entered the camper and the curious cat reacted to the spider uncharacteristically. She did not hunt it or attack it, but played with it very gently. It remained for weeks and she enjoyed it without harming it.
Ø  Did you have to research for this novel, and if so, why?
·  No research for this novel except to find the appropriate scientific name for the spider.
3)   Do you relate to your character?
Ø  Is your protagonist anything like you, personally?
·  Well, since my main character is a cat, I can only relate a little, but I am curious about many things. I also try to accept differences in others. We all have our quirks and oddities, but if we wish to get to know them, we need to be flexible and not treat those differences as barriers. After fostering many children for many years, often 8 teens at one time, I know being a family has nothing to do with being related and everything to do with loving each other.
ü   If yes, then how?
o   The cat acts on instinct, but I believe humans think before acting or should. In this case, the cat acted with kindness instead of a natural predator to this spider.
ü   If no, how do you differ from one another?
o   Well, I am a human. Guess that makes the most difference. I certainly have never befriended a spider. But wait, I don’t hurt them either. I just move them if they are in the way. I love the fact they get rid of mosquitoes. Here in the Northwoods, they can be a problem.
Ø  What made you write this character?
ü   What should readers know about this character?
o   I believe there is so much focus on what the differences are between people that we forget to focus on the similarities. We are more alike than we know. In addition, I am an advocate for fostering children and wanted to stress how easy it is to love non-related kids or in this story, a different species.
ü   Why is this character important to you?
o   This was a sweet cat with a loving disposition and she was my pet. Her real name was Doonie, but my husband gives everyone a nickname, so Spitzel was attached to her.
o   I am an animal lover and have rescued animals and wrote articles about rescue pets for years.
o   Spitzel shows us what is important in life.
Ø  Do you consider the main character of your story to be good or bad, and why?
·  She was good because she treated the spider gently and as a character, she accepted his differences.
Ø  What’s the objective of your character?
·  To treat her new playmate kindly. I hope she shows real children how to be the same way.
4)   Is there anything you specifically want readers to know about this piece of work?
Ø  Is there a particular idea or morale you are trying to convey?
·  Well, just that we need to treat others according to the Golden rule and Christian values should be part of our life. Love may not conquer all, but it goes a long way to making people feel valued.
5)   Where can readers connect with you and purchase your book?
They can connect with me on Facebook- Author Jo Ann Wentzel at https://www.facebook.com/authorJoAnnWentzel/?ref=bookmarks
They can connect with me on my website
They can purchase this book online at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
Right now Amazon has this in paperback for less than $2.00

1 comment:

  1. I am so appreciative that you featured Spitzel and the Spider as your Book Spotlight. Thank you so much.

    ReplyDelete

NORNS TRIAD PUBLICATIONS' BLOG