What Faye Loves- a Corgi story
What Faye Loves Review
by Robert Hudson
| Title | What Faye Loves |
| Author | Stephanie Caprini |
| Illustrated by | Zoe Ranucci |
| Publisher | Last Bite Publishing, 2021 |
| ISBN | 0578986728, 9780578986722 |
| Length | 34 pages |
| Subjects | Juvenile Fiction › Animals › Dogs |
Stephanie Caprini loves bringing stories to the world full of strong characters and a story line that echoes the reality of the time in which they’re written. She also hosts the website www.truthsc.com and loves sharing Fearless Friday quotes. Her other published books available for purchase currently include: Living With B; The Summer of 3; and two Quotes in Spanish compilations. She is excited to explore the world of children’s literature.
This is a delightful children’s book with wonderful illustrations about a special Corgi named Faye. I had a nice chat with Stephanie.
What Faye Loves is a story about joy, happiness, and discovering that the best parts of life are those that exist in the little moments. Faye realizes that life’s little moments, not tangible items, are what she she loves most.
What was your goal for this story?
It started as a way to break into children’s literature. I have published two full-length novels, Living with B and The Summer of 3, as well as two Quotes in Spanish quote books, and What Faye Loves seemed like a natural lead into the genre. However, as I was writing it, I realized that its power and potential were so much greater. What Faye Loves turned into a means to message to children and families the importance of finding joy in little moments in life and to remember that “having things” isn’t always were true joy resides. It also naturally turned into a vehicle to both raise awareness about animal rescues and to turn my love and compassion for animals into ongoing support.
What was your inspiration?
Faye! Our youngest corgi, who is now three, is a real-life dog and my inspiration for What Faye Loves. When she was a puppy (about 15 months old), one of our friends was in town. Over the course of the weekend we were regaling him with stories of her funny, cute, and quirky antics. He looked at me and basically said, “you know, as an author, you should write a book about it.” Initially I sort of chuckled it off, but then suddenly it dawned on me…I should!
How long was your project in the making from inception to finish?
If we think about it in terms of the planting of the inspirational seed being our friend’s visit, then What Faye Loves took about 18 months. I jotted a few notes down over the course of the months following his visit in March right as the Covid, in-home quarantining in 2020 went into effect. However, when we realized that Covid was staying around and I found myself at home going, “What am I going to do with my time?” I had a sudden realization: “Oh! I should actually write and finish that book!” If we start at that “Aha!” moment, which was around Thanksgiving 2020, then What Faye Loves took about a year. The book was released late October, 2021.
Was it based on your own experience?
It’s funny you should ask this question! One of the readers who picked up the book at a book signing asked, “Is it a true story?” and I emphatically replied, “IT IS!” All of the moments in What Faye Loves are based on actually things Faye does. At the back of the book we posted a little photo album of sorts to showcase that she and Ein are actually real!
How does it relate to your own family ?
I come from a really big Italian family and was brought up with the major players in life being family, joy, and togetherness. It was never about what money we did or didn’t have but rather who we spent our time with, how we showed one another we cared, and how we really appreciated those little things. That lesson has stayed with me into adulthood. I also taught Spanish for about seven (7) years, and at that point in my career I wanted to drive home the idea that learning was continuous and it’s never about perfection.
It’s about always trying and growing. Those lessons have always been really important to me. I want people to come away from my stories feeling empowered, uplifted, like a moment or message resonated or challenged them to reflect on how they see themselves and their lives and come out better because of it.
I even had a reader tell me that What Faye Loves‘ message is so beautiful that it brought a tear to her eye,. That just completely warmed my heart. Couple that with the message that a portion of the proceeds go back to help local animal rescues, and I feel like this book really rounds out how my family and I try to focus on the world and what’s most important.
What do you love about corgis?
Oh gosh, they’re just the cutest! There’s something about their swoosh pants and wiggle butt, their derp face and overall playfulness that just absolutely makes it so it’s impossible to do anything but love them. I love that they’re big dogs at heart (and in size! Ein and Faye are both 40 pounds!) but they feel like a more compact package. I love their floof, even thought it makes for so much shedding and therefore brushing, because it’s so warm and snuggly. There’s something comforting about it. And I think their personalities and facial expressions are just the best.
Have you always had a corgi?
I have not! Growing up I had two cats and a Shiba Inu and my husband had terriers (fox terriers, airedale, etc). However, his favorite show growing up was the anime Cowboy Bebop, and that featured a corgi named Ein. Ever since then he wanted a corgi, and when we decided we were ready for a dog, we were living in an apartment in Chicago and it seemed like the perfect fit.
Do you think they are a good family dog?
I think corgis, like all pets, are great for families. However, I think the training and human reinforcement, love, and long-term commitment are what really determines family compatibility. Corgis are an energetic and smart breed. They need a family that will learn their needs and celebrate them. Ein and Faye’s needs are totally different.
Ein is boisterous and people-centered, lazy and loud. So loud! And he really isn’t really into dogs so we have to mind where we take him for that reason. Faye is absolutely the opposite. She is terrified of everything and skittish, is a great huntress and a snuggle bug. It’s taken us 3 years to determine that Faye’s terrified nature is actually crippling anxiety. She needs medical assistance to manage it and help her thrive. So, we don’t go on as many trips as we did when it was just Ein. She does not do well under the care of strangers.
Ein is wonderful but has had health issues all his life, and those have to be budgeted for. It’s like having a child. Are they a great family dog? Yes, absolutely! Like with all dogs, they need a family who is willing to put in the day to day love, patience, money, and work.
How has a corgi enhanced your family life?
Oh my gosh, how to count the ways! If What Faye Loves is all about loving and finding joy in life’s little moments, then our two dogs show us hundreds of times a day how to do just that. My husband and I can’t tell you how often they make us smile and laugh. The Corgis helped us work on patience as we continue to train them or help them with their health issues. They teach us how precious seemingly insignificant things are: like fresh laundry, perfectly cold water, or the most perfectly made bed. They help calm us when we are anxious or nervous, and they remind us how loved we are all the time. The Corgis mean the world to us, and I am honored to share them, even if just in a small way, with the world through these books.
