My Writing and Reading Life: Sue Lowell Gallion, Author of Pug & Pig Trick-or-Treat

The Children’s Book Review | September 29, 2017

Sue Lowell Gallion is the author of Pug Meets Pig and Pug & Pig Trick-or-Treat (Simon & Schuster/Beach Lane Books). She has two grown-up kids, one grandson, and a black lab mix named Tucker, who all provide writing inspiration. As a printer’s daughter, she has a life-long love of type, paper, and the aroma of ink. She lives in Kansas City, KS.

I write because …

I love the feeling of putting words together in a way that is fun to read aloud.

I read because …

I can’t imagine not reading.

My latest published book is …

Pug & Pig Trick-or-Treat (Beach Lane Books/Simon & Schuster, July 2017)

I wrote this book because …

When I saw the dog next door dressed in a skin-tight skeleton costume, I had to let Pug and Pig experience that feeling, too!

Best moment …

Seeing kids experience books, any books. It’s magical.

I did a story time recently at a library in the small town of Edgerton, KS. The library is in an old brick bank building. Note the new name of the old building – Bank of Knowledge!

I love getting notes from kids and classes after visits, especially if they are illustrated!

My special place to write is …

Tucker

My back deck, when no one else is around. One caveat—my dog, Tucker, needs to have already had a walk so he’ll snooze while I work.

Necessary writing/creativity tool …

Just-sharpened pencils. I collect pencils from travels and places I want to remember. A pencil is a pretty cheap and portable souvenir. I do think the electric pencil sharpener is a marvelous invention.

The person who has been my greatest writing teacher or inspiration is …

I had marvelous journalism professors in college at SMU. There are so many authors in the kidlit world that have inspired me, but the top two would have to be Jane Yolen and Mem Fox.

Currently reading …

Walking With Miss Millie by Tamara Bundy and Thank You For Being Late by Thomas L. Friedman.

Favorite bookshop …

Rainy Day Books, Fairway, KS

All-time favorite children’s book I didn’t write …

Froodle by Antoinette Portis

Favorite illustrator …

Marla Frazee. I’ve been a fan since she illustrated The Seven Silly Eaters, which my kids and I loved. Still do.

A literary character I would like to vacation with …

Claudia Kincaid, the protagonist in From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.

When I am not reading or writing I am …

Coaxing my tomatoes to turn red, walking the aforementioned Tucker, or playing with water with my toddler grandson.

Visit Sue at suegallion.com, follow @SueLGallion on Twitter, and check out her kids’ book recommendations at Goodreads. Be sure to download the fun activity kit, complete with masks, cupcake toppers, a coloring sheet, and more! (The link also takes you to a Common Core-aligned discussion guide.)

Pug & Pig Trick-or-Treat

Written by Sue Lowell Gallion

Illustrated by Joyce Wan

Publisher’s Synopsis: Pug and Pig are back for a heartwarming Halloween adventure in this adorable picture book that’s perfect for pet lovers of all ages.

Halloween night has come to Pug and Pig’s house, and the darling duo is sporting matching costumes. The costumes are cozy. They glow in the dark. And they have masks! There’s only one problem—Pug hates wearing his. So he decides to rip it up and stay home. But Halloween just isn’t any fun for Pig without Pug! Can Pug find a way to be a good friend and get back into the Halloween spirit?

Ages 2-8 | Publisher: Beach Lane Books | 2017 | ISBN-13: 978-1481449779

Available Here: 

Discover more books like Pug & Pig Trick-or-Treat, written by Sue Lowell Gallion and illustrated by Joyce Wan, by checking out our reviews and articles tagged with Dogs, Halloween Books, Joyce Wan, Picture Books, and Sue Lowell Gallion; plus, be sure to follow along with our Writing and Reading Life series.