There once was a teacher who adopted a Llhasa Apso. The dog puffed up his cheeks and burped so frequently she decided to write and illustrate a book about her bubbly pooch.
Though it may seem like a synopsis for a piece of fiction, Liese Hearth found all of the inspiration for her first published children’s book, “My Dog Burps,” from her dog Elliot, who, well, burps.
“I always thought it would be fun to write a children’s book, but was never really inspired at all until my dog first burped,” said Hearth, an art teacher at Mark DeLay Elementary School in Darien.
When she and her husband decided to adopt a pet from Shih Tzu Rescue, Adoption and Education Safehouse in Homer Glen, they soon realized he, unlike other pets, burped after eating, which later triggered a concept she would never regret.
“I had this story and wrote it last spring,” Hearth said. “I started researching online and submitted my idea. PublishAmerica was the first company I submitted it to, and a few weeks later, I heard they were interested. I signed the contract, and it took a few months to publish.”
Elliot, the main character in her story, notices that other dogs in the neighborhood have creative tricks they can do but can’t seem to figure out what his own talents are. That is, until something happens to make him burp, which no other dog can do. Inspired by the “Clifford” books, her story incorporates a moral, teaching young readers to be proud of who they are and reminding them everybody has a special talent.
Having an extensive background in art and art education, Hearth decided to take up the challenge of illustrating her book herself. While it made the publishing part of the process longer, she knew it could be well worth it in the end.
“It took me all summer to illustrate my book,” Hearth said. “If anything, I love art the most and would like to teach it forever.”
Being a teacher of kindergarten through second grade, it seems likely her biggest fans just may be the ones she sees in her classroom.
“I have read it to them, and it’s been great feedback. We talk about authors and illustrators, so they are very impressed because they can relate,” Hearth said. “The kindergartners laugh more. The burping is funnier to them.
“All of my students have inspired me,” she added. “We’ll see what happens. Hopefully I’ll get the inspiration to write some more (children’s books).”
Hearth’s fellow teachers and co-workers have been inspired by her published work as well.
“It’s very exciting, and we’re very proud of her success,” said Maureen Kelly, principal at Mark DeLay. “She is a very wonderful and creative art teacher. This is like the icing on the cake.”
Kelly has ordered copies of “My Dog Burps” for the school library for students to check out and read. Teachers have also become inspired of Hearth’s success; another teacher wrote a children’s book and is now following the steps to submit her manuscript.
“It’s great for school teachers to be creative. To be on-stage for six hours a day coming up with ideas for the classroom and students, and for there to be a potential market, it’s a very exciting thing to pursue,” Kelly said.
“My Dog Burps” is available through Amazon.com and BarnesAndNoble.com. It will be available nationwide at bookstores by the end of March.
