bonnie kelso

Dexter is Award winning!

| Bonnie Kelso

While Dexter has been home recovering from a successful bionic elbow surgery in Milan, Italy . . . he won a book award! That dog is unstoppable!

The California Reading Association recently announced the winners of their prestigious EUREKA! Awards for nonfiction books and Dexter, The Stand Up Dog was among them! I’m so excited for this honor, as it will get Dexter’s inspirational story of hope, determination, and adaptability in front of even more kids who need to hear it.

To read more about Dexter and the backstory to his story, check out this recent interview with me and Kentee (Dexter’s mom) in Foreword Magazine: Having a PAWS-itive Mindset! A Conversation with the Creators of Dexter: The Stand Up Dog.

Way to go, buddy!

Bonnie

Bonnie Kelso is the author and illustrator of several books for children. Her newest release is DEXTER: THE STAND UP DOG, co-written by Kentee Pasek, and as seen on the Today Show’s Jenna & Friends. Available now.

Have you heard about Dexter?

| Bonnie Kelso

I’m wondering if you’ve heard about Dexter, the Stand Up Dog? Dexter is a Brittany Spaniel who was in a car accident as a pup and lost one front leg and full use of his other front leg. After healing, Dexter adapted by teaching himself how to walk on his two hind legs! This all happened during the pandemic, so his owner shared his story of resilience on Instagram and his story of strength and persistence went viral.

His children’s book released in September and during the launch, something happened to Dexter. He wasn’t walking the same way and with the same vigor as before. X-rays showed that the pins in his front elbow had come undone. Now Dexter is in Milan, Italy, getting ready for a rare surgery. They are going to give him a BIONIC ELBOW! Yes, it’s incredible! I highly recommend you follow his story as it continues to unfold on Instagram.

Sending big hugs to Dexter and his family from across the pond! We’re all rooting for you, buddy!

Bonnie

Bonnie Kelso is the author and illustrator of several books for children. Her newest release is DEXTER: THE STAND UP DOG, co-written by Kentee Pasek, and as seen on the Today Show’s Jenna & Friends. Available now.

Join me at the Southern Utah Book Festival!

| Bonnie Kelso

The Southern Utah Book Festival is back! Check it out this week with the main event on Saturday, September 20th. Plenty of author panels, book signings, and activities to delight readers of all ages. I’ll be on a picture book panel from 11 – 11:45 am with kidlit friends. Be sure not to miss the DRAW-OFF at 2pm! Hope to see you there!

Bonnie Kelso is the author and illustrator of several books for children. Her newest release is DEXTER: THE STAND UP DOG, as seen on the Today Show’s Jenna & Friends. Available now.

World OceanS Day at the LV Discovery CHildren’s Museum – Learn about Nudibranchs!

| Bonnie Kelso

This Sunday is World Oceans Day! Celebrate by joining me Sunday, June 8th from 12:30 – 3:30 at the Las Vegas Discovery Children’s Museum for a fun presentation about nudibranchs. Learn all about these amazing colorful (and carnivorous) sea slugs, discover your own species, and take home a special piece of wearable art. All supplies provided. Funded in part by The NEA and Nevada Arts Council.

Bonnie Kelso is the author and illustrator of several books for children. NUDI GILL: POISON POWERHOUSE OF THE SEA introduces children to the fascinating nudibranch, a carnivorous soft bodied mollusk. A 2023 Nevada Center for the Book “Great Reads from Great Places” children’s book selection!

HUMP DAY CALLS (Podcast)

| Bonnie Kelso

I recently had the opportunity to speak with author, T.R. Monroe, on his Hump Day Calls Podcast. We talked about my newest books, WONDER OF THE WOODS and QUAIL TRAIL, which are both available now.

We also had a lengthy discussion about the creative process, writing, and travel. I hope you enjoy the conversation!

See you on the radio!

Bonnie

Bonnie Kelso writes and illustrates books for children and adults that encourage individualism and brave self-expression. She facilitates art workshops for her local community and beyond. Her debut picture book, NUDI GILL, released April 4, 2023. SEA SMILES, the first of a three-part series, released February 20, 2024. Coming soon: SLEEPY SEA and DEXTER THE STAND UP DOG, available for preorder now. A lover of nature and travel, she often wanders about outside with her family whenever an excellent opportunity to do so presents itself.

Book Launch Party @ Buffy’s Book Boutique

| Bonnie Kelso

“Hey, y’all!” she says feeling into her southern roots.

This Saturday (10/26/24) is my book launch party from 12pm – 2pm at Buffy’s Book Boutique. Buffy’s is the cutest book store in Las Vegas! You have to come check it out.

Buffy’s Book Boutique
3585 S Durango Dr #103
Las Vegas, NV
USA 89147

I’ll be reading WONDER OF THE WOODS, published by Little Press and One Little Earth. It is a lyrical nonfiction story about exploring nature in a gentle and respectful way. I will also have an art activity for kids (or crafty adults) and will be available to sign books. There will be some swag and a giveaway, too! RSVP here to reserve your copy of the book: https://buffysbookboutique.com/events/1233820241026

If we’re lucky, maybe Buffy herself will make an appearance. No promises.

See you at Buffy’s!

Bonnie

Bonnie Kelso writes and illustrates books for children, is a muralist and facilitates art workshops in her community and beyond. Her newest picture book, WONDER OF THE WOODS is a lyrical nonfiction story about exploring nature in a gentle and respectful way. Her debut picture book, NUDI GILL, released April 4, 2023. SEA SMILES, the first of a three-part series, released February 20, 2024. Coming in November: QUAIL TRAIL. A lover of nature and travel, she often wanders about outside with her family whenever an excellent opportunity to do so presents itself.

The Las Vegas Book Festival!

| Bonnie Kelso

Last Saturday was the Las Vegas Book Festival! I went for the first time and helped host the Nevada SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) information booth with other volunteer members. I was so impressed with the amount of vendors, speakers, and activities. The Historic 5th Street School makes for a lovely venue with its Spanish architectural details.

I think we recruited a dozen or so new members; networked with booksellers, librarians, and teachers; and I even booked a school visit! We were encouraging visitors to “READ LOCAL!” and support Nevada authors and illustrators. It was also the most beautiful fall day we’ve had after a long and dreadfully hot summer.

There was even a special appearance by Mo Willems’ Elephant and Piggie. At our booth we had activity sheets from my book Nudi Gill and I taught kids how to make a zine from one piece of paper.

All in all it was a great experience and I look forward to attending again next year. I highly recommend checking it out. In my humble opinion, the nicest people in the world seem to be book people!

See you at the Las Vegas Book Festival next year!

Bonnie

Bonnie Kelso writes and illustrates books for children and adults that encourage individualism and brave self-expression. She facilitates art workshops for her local community and beyond. Her debut picture book, NUDI GILL, released April 4, 2023. SEA SMILES, the first of a three-part series, released February 20, 2024. Coming soon: WONDER OF THE WOODS and QUAIL TRAIL, releasing this fall. A lover of nature and travel, she often wanders about outside with her family whenever an excellent opportunity to do so presents itself.

Nature Bound (Podcast)

| Bonnie Kelso

I recently had the awesome opportunity to speak with author and nature enthusiast, Emanuel Rose, on his Nature Bound podcast. We talked about my new books, WONDER OF THE WOODS and QUAIL TRAIL, which are both available for pre-order now.

Emanuel’s ambition is to craft episodes that are not only entertaining but are designed to ignite the flame of inspiration. He delves into the myriad ways time spent in wilderness can illuminate paths to self-discovery and self-realization. I hope you enjoy our conversation as well others on the Nature Bound podcast.

See you on the radio!

Bonnie

Bonnie Kelso writes and illustrates books for children and adults that encourage individualism and brave self-expression. She facilitates art workshops for her local community and beyond. Her debut picture book, NUDI GILL, released April 4, 2023. SEA SMILES, the first of a three-part series, released February 20, 2024. Coming soon: WONDER OF THE WOODS and QUAIL TRAIL, releasing this fall. A lover of nature and travel, she often wanders about outside with her family whenever an excellent opportunity to do so presents itself.

Should have listened to my mother (Podcast)

| Bonnie Kelso

My last podcast for a spell just released. This one is extra special because not only do I talk about books and sea slugs, but also my mom, and how amazing she is! This was recorded on Mother’s Day weekend and is now live on the air-waves. Check out Jackie Tantillo’s Should Have Listened to My Mother podcast.

More from Jackie and the Should Have Listened to My Mother Podcast:

Podcast host Jackie Tantillo is proud to announce that “Should Have Listened To My Mother Podcast” is a 2023 Peoples Choice Podcast Award Nominee. The show is an ongoing conversation about mothers/maternal role models and the roles they play/played in our lives. Did your mom influence you by her actions or words or both? Are you who you are today because of, or in spite of, your mother? This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn from others about who and/or what shaped them into who they are today. My guests, some of which share similar backgrounds, interestingly enough, have completely different futures. Why is that? I hope you enjoy these timeless oral history recordings of the role mothers and maternal figures have played throughout society. The impact these women have on our lives is insurmountable.

Some fun pictures of me and my mom that didn’t make it into the show notes:

I love you, Mom! See you on the radio!

Bonnie

Bonnie Kelso writes and illustrates books for children and adults that encourage individualism and brave self-expression. She facilitates art workshops for her local community and beyond. Her debut picture book, NUDI GILL, released April 4, 2023. SEA SMILES, the first of a three-part series, released February 20, 2024. Coming soon: WONDER OF THE WOODS and QUAIL TRAIL, releasing this fall. A lover of nature and travel, she often wanders about outside with her family whenever an excellent opportunity to do so presents itself.