Marley and Me
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
The only thing cuter than a puppy...
....is a little boy pretending to be a puppy. In September, I stopped at the City of Excellence magnet school in Aventura, Florida, right outside Miami. I spoke to the students about my children's books, BAD DOG, MARLEY and MARLEY: A DOG LIKE NO OTHER, then I signed books. Flash forward two months: Yesterday, these photos were forwarded to me by my editor. One of the little boys in line to have his Marley book signed was inspired enough to dress up as puppy Marley on his first night home for the school's annual costume contest. I know the boy only as Bobby, but I sure hope he won the contest. I got a big kick out of how faithfully he (with a little help from Mom, no doubt) recreated the Whirlpool box in which Marley spent his first night before I relented and brought him inside to sleep beside my bed. (You can see the photo of Marley on his first night home at the "Marley photos" link on the marleyandme.com home page.)
I love this photo because it reminds me of all the great kids I met on my children's books tour -- and of the guileless way in which they accepted Marley into their lives.
The photos show Bobby doing his best Marley imitation in his box, and earlier, having his book signed by me at his school outside Miami.
posted by John Grogan at 4:50 PM
 
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You have a fan here in Brussels, Belgium! I LOVED you book--but it made me cry terribly at the end! I wish you the best with your writing endevours. The children's book looks lovely!
Dear Mr. Grogan,
Hi. I am Bobby D. Jr's proud mother. With all the activities in-and-out of school we have only recently noticed that you posted Bobby D. Jr's pictures on your blog when he dressed as Marley in his Whirlpool box and when you signed your book for him during your visit to his school just outside Miami, FL(Aventura City of Excellence School).
We were very pleased to know that you share our pride and enjoyment of both pictures. Bobby's costume did reward him with tickets to a Panthers hockey game as part of the Favorite Literary Character Costume Contest at his school. The picture also appeared in the Miami Herald.
My thanks to my sister-in-law who sent the pictures to your editor, thanks to my son's school's directors for the wonderful job they do regarding the Literacy Program (and so many other extraordinary programs), and, especially, thank you for sharing with the kids your time and joy of writing.
We're looking forward to the future Marley movie -- and can imagine the perfect scene where the author visits a little kid’s school, signs a book for him and inspires him to put down a vampire costume to be a little dog instead. IT WOULD BE GREAT!!!
Forever grateful, Bobby and his mom.
Monica