By Howard Campbell, for The Children’s Book Review
Published: November 28, 2010
Howard Campbell comes from a long line of professors, scientists and animal lovers. One of his relatives was the first president of Brown University. His great-grandfather, grand-father, uncle and father were professors at universities including the University of Chicago, University of Pennsylvania, University of Wisconsin and the University of Minnesota. Howard’s grandfather, Lowell Noland, was president of the Wisconsin Audubon Society and the author of many poems about nature and animals, especially birds.
Howard grew up in the state of Idaho, where he fell in love with mountains and wild animals. After a short career as a college basketball player, Howard devoted himself to the study of anthropology. He lived for many years in Mexico and wrote several books about the Zapotec Indians of Oaxaca. Howard is also the tribal anthropologist for the Piro-Manso-Tiwa Indians of Las Cruces, New Mexico. He recently published the book Drug War Zone, the first anthropological study of Mexican drug trafficking activity on the U.S.-Mexico border.
Howard is an avid reader and world traveler. He also writes poetry and short stories in his spare time as well as a novel in progress concerned with Ciudad Juárez, Mexico and El Paso, Texas, where Dr. Campbell is a professor of anthropology.
A Dog Named Pavlov was inspired by the life of Howard’s brother George’s beloved pet dog, who is also named Pavlov. George and his wife Liisa had no children. They loved Pavlov, their boisterous, fluffy Russian Wolfhound Mix as a member of the family. Howard’s two daughters love Pavlov also.
Children are instantly attracted to Pavlov’s irrepressible enthusiasm and energy. He is ready to chase a stick at a moment’s notice and he returns with the stick firmly clenched in his jaws and his tail wagging furiously. Adults usually appreciate Pavlov, too but sometimes, like an overgrown teenager, he accidentally knocks over furniture and tramples flowers in his excitement at the smell of a cat or the sound of squirrel rustling in the bushes. One time, while George, Liisa, and Pavlov were visiting the author, Howard walked into his bedroom and found Pavlov curled up on his bed, sound asleep. Howard could only chuckle at the sight.
Howard wrote A Dog Named Pavlov in honor and remembrance of his brother, George, who passed away in 2005. Pavlov is still alive, but no longer a young puppy. He remains a loyal and lovable dog. The book is totally bilingual (English/Spanish).
About the Illustrator: Kevin McCloskey is a professor of illustration at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. He has done illustrations for many newspapers including The New York Times. He has created the children’s book, Mrs. Fitz’s Flamingos and the animated short film, Young William Penn. Kevin fondly recalls the afternoon in a restaurant in Oaxaca, Mexico when Howard Campbell first told him the story of Pavlov.
ISBN 978-0-9790350-4-3
Softcover 43 pages 18 full color illustrations
Retail Price $12.95
Published in the United States by Stanley Publishing Co.
Printed in the United States
Available through Ingram and Bookmasters distribution www.stanleypublishing.com
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