Where does an author get his or her ideas? What is a day in the life of an author like? This picture book helps to answer those questions by way of a dog.

The author in this book works from home. Her dog is there with her from the waking of each day, to her getting dressed, to her writing at her desk and tossing away drafts, to staring out the window at the world outside, until finally it is time for the dog’s walk. Here the dog helps the author come across possible things to write about. Then, they go home for dinner. Sometimes the author gets an idea at night when everyone else is asleep. “So one light comes on. And the author sits up and writes.”  Then one day, “The dog knows something is different.” He gets left at home “because it’s Author Day at Fred C. Underhill School!” with autographs and book signings. The author leaves telling the boys and girls they are all authors, too. Then it is back home to her dog who is waiting for her.

The story is understandable , but the text is halting at times and does not flow well. Steven Henry’s illustrations carry the story along during those times.