Welcome to Book Zone Reviews‘ stop on the Tour for Ode to a Pug: I’m a BIG Dog by Jill Rosen. This post is sponsored by Jill Rosen and hosted by The Children’s Book Review. There may be affiliate links included in this post; the use of an affiliate link will in no way increase your price for the book. Please enjoy meeting the author, Jill Rosen below.
Ode to a Pug: I'm a Big Dog by Jill Rosen Illustrator: Steph Fohr
Series: Ode to a Pug #4
Published by Pug House Books Inc. on May 21, 2026
ISBN: 9781069506962
Genres: Children's Picture Book
Pages: 36
Buy on Amazon | Buy on Bookshop
Publisher’s Book Summary:
Anyone who has stared down a “You must be this tall to enter” sign will cheer on Phoebe’s latest quest to rule the BIG dog park the way only a pug can. Giggle along as a couple of compact canines stubbornly take on the BIG dogs in another hilarious, heart-warming adventure from the author of the award-winning Ode to a Pug books. Will our favorite gassy pug learn that the grass isn’t always greener? Or will her pug-powered determination pay off? A laugh-out-loud, adorably illustrated, rhyming tale of pup perseverance, perfect for children ages 2–8 and dog lovers of all ages.
A Conversation with Jill Rosen
What’s one of the weirdest interview questions you’ve ever received? (Probably this one. Lol)
That is an interesting question! I was doing a workshop for Grade 2 and 3 students, and during the author Q&A section a student quietly and patiently raised his little hand and asked, “Have you ever tried Behavioral Activation for Phoebe”? He was so serious! I was impressed and asked him how he knew about that and he said both his parents were psychiatrists. I said that could be a great strategy for mischievous pugs like Phoebe who can be a bit stubborn in their ways. He was very proud of his excellent suggestion. Children are the absolute best sponges – always listening and learning!
What’s a question you hope you get asked that is usually missed? (my unique way of asking, if there’s anything else you would like to share?)
I always expect a question about what other pets I have had and would I ever write an ode to them? I currently have 3 dogs and 2 cats, but I have had some other interesting pets over my life, including a bird, ferrets and an iguana who was our Residence mascot in university. Commuting home on a train with a lizard in a box on your lap was always a unique experience (especially for whomever picked the seat beside me)! I also grew up with 2 dogs and had 2 other cats before the ones I have now. I love all the animals in my life, but I have never had so many laughs or hair-pulling moments until I became the proud mom of my first pug.
What was the main or overall message you wished to share (with parents and kids) when you began writing Ode to a Pug? Did it change as you wrote?
As a second child, I wanted to write about that time in your life when you idolized your older brother or sister and wanted to prove you were a big kid too and could do whatever they do and go wherever they go. You just couldn’t wait to grow up. (And your parents just want to slow everything down). I wanted young readers to learn to appreciate the moment and all the great things that come with being small. It’s okay to focus on what is special about just being you as you are now. Being only 5 feet tall, I know what it’s like to be told you’re too small to do something. And like a pug, it only made me more determined to do it! So, while I did think about having Phoebe and Pom successfully rule the BIG dog park, that’s not reality. Instead, I wanted to have them realize that it’s not so bad being small. They even get things the BIG dogs don’t – mom’s lap!
I can’t help this question; I have to know. What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a vet for the longest time. I was a science major and received an Honours degree in Biochemistry from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. However, right after graduation my summer jobs in advertising led to a permanent position at a pharmaceutical advertising agency. I thought I’d perhaps work for a year or two and go back to graduate school, but my career took off and I never looked back. Working in pharmaceutical marketing and new product development allowed me to tap into my creative side, while also leveraging my scientific expertise, so it ended up being a great fit. Every time I get a vet bill though, I do think about whether or not I made the right choice!
I believe that it takes a lot of faith to put a book out into the world. What or whom did you lean on? (your religion, your family, your writer friends?) Any advice for newbies?
Yes, it’s an incredibly vulnerable thing to share your art with the world. I definitely leaned on my family and friends for support and feedback, especially my talented and supportive husband, as well as my illustrator partner Steph, who is my constant sounding board on all things pug! My advice for anyone starting out is to never give up and always work with a professional editor who gets your style and vision.
What does a day in your life look like?
A whirlwind of kids, baseball games, school plays, dogs, cats, cooking, cleaning, writing, hair everywhere and generally the organized chaos of a stay-at-home working parent! But… every day always has lots of laughs among the stress and little things that make you smile. As my oldest approaches University, I’ve learned that you have to stop for a minute to appreciate the moment as it all goes way too fast! Although I truly couldn’t imagine it any other way.
You could write about anything for any age group in the world, so why children’s books? (Not that there’s anything wrong with writing for children, 2 of my websites are focused on 0-17 books.)
When my boys were young, my absolute favorite time was story time. I loved watching their faces light up when they first really recognized words and were able to read themselves. Also, I loved how books could make them smile, even on the hardest of days. When I started writing, I wanted to create stories that could help kids experience those precious moments, at a time in our world that seems troubled for a whole host of reasons. I wanted to do what I could to bring a little bit of fun and joy to young readers and leave families feeling good after reading. And who better to deliver exactly that feeling than a pug! Pugs are funny looking, funny acting, and the potty humor practically writes itself…a perfect match for this target audience!
What part of the writing or publishing process surprised you the most?
Just how rewarding it is to hear a young child reading your book. Watching them working through the rhymes and laughing out loud as they flip through the pages is the best feeling in the world. If the books make even one child’s day better or helps them learn to read, I’ve done my job. And the truth is, you have to do it for the love of creating. It is very hard to make a living this way – it’s a precious few that really break through. But if you can create something you are proud of and that contributes positively to the world, the struggle can be worth it!
How do you approach creating characters or stories that resonate with both children and the adults reading with them?
I’m inspired by true life events and Phoebe’s impact on my whole family. I also know that often parents are reading to their kids, so it’s important that they like the story too. I want everyone to take something away that they enjoy, as that is what will make the book a family favorite. So when I’m writing, I’m always thinking about how the child would feel in a situation and what their parent would pull from it and how they might be able to discuss the emotions together. In that way, the story stays relevant for readers of all ages.
What’s one lesson or takeaway you hope young readers carry with them after finishing your book?
They are special just as they are. And you don’t have to grow up too fast!
Thanks so much for sharing a bit about yourself, your motivation and your process with us here at Book Zone Reviews.
And there you have it folks! Read more about Jill and meet Steph below and don’t forget to enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a copy of Ode to a Pug: I’m a BIG Dog! and more!
More about the Author
Jill Rosen is an award-winning, bestselling author and career marketer and advertiser. She lives with two kids, three dogs, two cats, and a former stand-up comic and Princeton sketch-comedy writing husband—so she doesn’t need to go far for comedic inspiration. Through her brand management work, Jill’s appreciation for powerful writing and artistic design only grew. She is a seasoned workshop facilitator and strategic healthcare consultant, specializing in mental health and infertility. Jill was inspired to begin writing her own stories by her two boys, both avid readers.
To learn more, visit www.odetoapug.com.
About the Illustrator
Steph Rohr is a French award-winning children’s book illustrator who earned a distinction from ECV Art School in Paris. She is fond of anything silly, funny, wacky, daft, and colorful. A freelance illustrator and art director, Steph has been working in London in publishing and advertising.
To learn more visit: https://www.stephdoespictures.com/
🎁 Enter the Giveaway
Ready to bring Phoebe the pug home?
One lucky grand prize winner will receive:
🐾 A signed hardcover copy of Ode to a Pug: I’m a BIG Dog!
🐾 A signed hardcover copy of the original Ode to a Pug
🐾 Two custom pug plushies
🐾 Two die-cut stickers
Plus, five additional winners will each receive a hardcover copy of Ode to a Pug: I’m a BIG Dog!
Enter by clicking on the image above for your chance to win!
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