It has been fascinating following author Troy Wilson’s journey.  If you have been following me for a bit you will remember The Sinking of Captain Otter, a lovely little story about play and friendship written by Troy Wilson.  It was a story he first wrote back in grade school at the age of 6. Since then he has created some memorable picture books such as the new Dog vs Ultra Dog. There seems to be quite the trend of cat and dog books arriving on bookshelves this spring.  In Dog vs Ultra Dog, Tuffy the dog loves his boy Tim. When Tim’s fascination and utter enthrallment with the super hero Ultra Dog consumes his life, family cat Bosworth uses it to manipulate Tuffy into thinking Tim no longer loves him. Through a series of very funny attempts to be the best at something, Tuffy learns that he has not been replaced by Ultra Dog in Tim’s heart, much to Bosworth’s chagrin.

The art by Clayton Hanmer is fantastic!  There is a ton of detail and hidden little gems to keep the reader excited and waiting to come back to the story time after time.  Big, bold, colourful illustrations and little comic elements add so much richness to Troy Wilson’s words.

If you ever need a lesson in perseverance look no further than an author.  The life of an author is full of rejections, false starts, and brilliant successes.  In part, Troy Wilson’s first book, written at age 6 was only published roughly 40 years later.  His first book, Perfect Man is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. Since Perfect Man, Troy Wilson has published four other picture books and has two more releasing this year bringing his total to seven.  It just goes to show what passion can create. It may be a long road but when it comes to picture books, so many young minds will be entertained, educated, and affected by the wonderful words and lessons of an author and illustrator.