Deepshikha Maan, Jadetimes Staff
D. Maan is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Entertainment
Chris Pine Ventures into Children's Literature with New Book
Actor Chris Pine is exploring a different storytelling avenue these days. Known for his role in “Star Trek,” Pine has recently released a charming children’s book titled When Digz the Dog Met Zurl the Squirrel: A Short Tale About a Short Tail.
The Inspiration Behind the Book
In an interview with People magazine, Pine shared that much of his motivation for writing stemmed from the joy he experienced as a child when his father read him his favorite books repeatedly. “A lot of the impetus for writing, the joy of writing, was thinking about parents reading it. I remember when I was a kid and fell in love with a book, I’d have my father read it over and over again,” he reminisced.
Pine noted that many parents often grow weary of reading the same stories to their children repeatedly. “Even though I’m not a parent, I can’t tell you how many parents I’ve talked to, and for whatever reason, they are just sick and tired of reading book X for the umpteenth time. So I thought, ‘Well, it would be great to write something that hopefully feels so delicious in the mouth and is so fun to say that they would want to come back and explore over and over again,’” he explained.
A Simple Yet Meaningful Story
The narrative revolves around a dog named Digz, who believes he rules the garden, and a squirrel named Zurl, who has a differing opinion. Throughout their journey, the two characters discover unexpected similarities. Pine recounts the spark for the story, which originated during the early days of the COVID 19 quarantine. “I was out on a walk with a friend, and my dog chased after a squirrel,” he recalled. His friend commented, “I don’t think I know of a story about a dog chasing a squirrel. It seems so universal. Doesn’t every dog chase a squirrel?” This simple yet relatable scenario became the foundation for Pine’s book.
Capturing Timelessness and Musicality
As a dog owner, Pine aimed to infuse the book with a timeless quality and a lyrical language reminiscent of classic children’s literature, such as that found in Dr. Seuss’s works. “I wanted to write and create something that felt like it had existed already for 50 years,” he stated. “It’s a book that’ll be relevant now, it could have been relevant 50 years ago, and it’ll be relevant 50 years from now. It’s a story that’s very simple, digestible, and easy to articulate to young children, and something that hopefully is fun for the parents to read.” Pine’s desire for the story to resonate with readers of all ages reflects his understanding of the lasting impact of well crafted children’s literature.
Availability of the Book
When Digz the Dog Met Zurl the Squirrel: A Short Tale About a Short Tail is now available, inviting children and parents alike to embark on a delightful reading experience. Pine's journey into children's literature not only showcases his storytelling abilities but also underscores the importance of compassion and looking beyond appearances—a valuable lesson for young readers.
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