Books, Kids & Creations Interview with Melissa Shapiro

Authors on the Air Global Radio Network

Tracy sits down with veterinarian and author Melissa Shapiro to discuss her new children's book, Piglet Comes Home. Piglet’s story has been featured in PEOPLE Magazine, NBC NIGHTLY NEWS, CNN, GMA3, CBS NEWS, THE DODO and more! PIGLET’S REAL-LIFE STORY: Piglet, the deaf-blind pink puppy is a double dapple dachshund chihuahua mix rescued from a hoarding situation. When veterinarian Melissa Shapiro learned about the tiny deaf-blind puppy, she and her husband Warren agreed to foster him until his rescue group could find him his forever home, not knowing, initially that that home was going to be theirs! Early on Piglet’s social media platforms grew exponentially! Videos and pictures of his resilient, and happy nature, inspired adults and children to bring his example of positivity into their own lives. Piglet is also an ambassador for disabled animals and people. The Piglet Mindset™ educational outreach program was created to teach growth mindset and inclusion and has reached thousands of children in classrooms around the world. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Melissa Shapiro, DVM, is a veterinarian, a lifelong animal welfare advocate, and mom to three children and many disabled rescued dogs and birds. Since bringing Piglet home in 2017, she has used his social media platform to educate, advocate, and inspire others to adopt pets with special needs. Her nonprofit organization, Piglet International Inc., supports the Piglet Mindset Educational Outreach, a free downloadable educational program that teaches growth mindset, acceptance, inclusion, empathy, and kindness to students and others in the community, as well as various animal rights causes. She lives in Connecticut with her husband Warren, six rescued dogs, one rescued parakeet, and Piglet, the deaf-blind pink puppy. ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR: Ellie Snowdon grew up in South Wales in the UK, surrounded by books, Welsh cakes, and lots of creativity. After graduating from University of the West of England at Bristol and the children’s book illustration master’s program at Cambridge School of Art, Ellie returned to live and work in her hometown of Swansea, where she is thankfully still surrounded by books, Welsh cakes, and more creativity. In PIGLET COMES HOME, when the pup pack’s owner leaves to bring them a new friend, the dogs wonder who will be coming back to join their family. Will it be a little pooch like Zoey or Annie? Or maybe a big dog with lots of energy like Gina? But when Mom walks in carrying a teeny tiny box making lots of noise, everyone is confused. Pups don’t make sounds like that, and surely the creature is too small and pink to be a dog! And poor little Piglet is so shy and nervous, the pack isn’t sure how to say hello. Will the dogs be able to make friends and show Piglet he has a place in his new home?