Kimberly Volz of Flanders published her first children’s book
By Cheryl Conway
“The kids love hearing about Maxwell; bringing him to life for the kids is something I wanted to do and was able to do,” says Volz, who has been filling in as a second grade teacher in Jefferson Township for a full-time teacher on maternity leave.
Marvelous Maxwell Visits the Vet is a fictional story based on true events. Maxwell is a 20-month old yellow Labrador retriever that Volz got from a breeder in New York State when he was only eight weeks old.
Her story explains “how Maxwell tore up my dad’s yard and ends up paying the consequences for his naughty behavior,” explains Volz. “He gets a stomachache and has to see the vet. He went under the deck and ate weeds, tree branches, dirt, twigs, bugs, flowers.”
Volz’s book teaches a lesson about breaking the rules. “If he just followed the rules, he wouldn’t have gotten a tummy ache and wouldn’t have had to visit the vet.”
The new author plans to write more stories about Maxwell, and turning his adventures into a new children’s book series.
“He is a very curious puppy dog who does everything and anything he possible can,” says Volz, Flanders resident for the past 18 years.
Volz started writing her book in July 2011 after coming up with her idea and contacting the publishing company to query an interest. Two months later, in September, her book was complete. For illustrations, Volz turned to Maxwell’s vet’s daughter- Amanda Minervini of Chester, to draw the pictures for her book. Maxwell’s vet is Dr. Nicholas Minervini of Flanders Veterinary Clinic in Flanders.
“I gave her the outline,” says Volz. “She drew a few pictures of the dog and made the pictures come alive.”
Volz then forwarded the illustrations to another colleague, Erich Bumm of Long Valley, formerly of Mt. Olive, to color the illustrations.
The oldest of three children, Volz majored in sociology from Rutgers University, and also received a degree in elementary education from the College of Saint Elizabeth in Morristown. While she pursues a career in elementary school teaching, Volz is the MOHS cheerleading coach and a dance teacher at Theater Dance Center in Flanders, where her mother is co-owner.
She admits that writing books is something she also wanted to do.
While looking for a job, Volz says “I wanted something unique to do. Reading is probably my favorite hobby. This was a dream of mine I was able to make happen…being able to tell a story to children. I’m sure many children have dogs and they can relate it. It’s been fun too because I’ve been able to raise Maxwell.”
For more information about Volz’s book, go to www.marvelousmaxwell.com. The hardcover book is available online at Mascot Books, Amazon Books and Barnes & Noble for $14.95. The book is geared for children in elementary school.
There is also a new copy at the Mt. Olive Public Library that can be checked out. Volz plans to give a reading of her new book, along with a craft, at the MPOL on Thursday, Feb. 16, at 7 p.m. Go to www.mopl.org for more information.
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on Feb 19 2012. Filed under General News.
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