November 08, 2021

 




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Edmonds, Washington
November 8, 2021


Dog Hero Story Becomes Novel in Verse


Fast-Paced Epic Poem Tells Story
of Cross-Eyed Malamute
Who Defends "Un-Hunted" Backyard
From Predatory Coyote


"Since it is so likely that children will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights...."
-C. S. Lewis

"A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's story...."
-C. S. Lewis

New Middle Grade Book for Adults, Too


In fewer than 17,000 words with 23 illustrations, Kodiak & The Un-Hunted Place: An Alaskan Malamute Battles a Coyote for the Heart, Soul, and Future of the World... 

...tells the story of a big, cross-eyed dog—a sled dog without a sled—a family pet who rises as a hero to fight a predatory coyote for the territory of his backyard. And becomes in the process, not only the protector of the many rabbits, squirrels, and chipmunks who live in his “Un-Hunted Place”—and the pride of his human pack—but in a deep, true sense, becomes himself.

Kodiak is thus a classic coming-of-age story... but one with unusually high stakes... about adversity faced to the point of battle... and the growth that results from discovering and being true to one’s nature. 
The author’s use of storytelling tools found in free verse poetry, rather than slowing things down, speeds readers toward an ending at once inevitable—and a complete surprise. 

Written for kids, ages 9-12 in middle grades 3-6 (kids transitioning from being read to... to reading on their own), Kodiak is equally for young adult and young-at-heart readers who enjoy dog- and animals-in-nature stories—and who don’t regard them as childish. Books like Pax  and The Art of Racing in the Rain, Wind in the Willows  and Watership Down may not be direct matches but they rhyme.

Kodiak is published with 23 illustrations by Vera Kulikov and available from Amazon in Ebook, Print, and Large Print editions. (Libraries source through Ingram.) A future audiobook is contemplated. Says author Ryan Petty: 

“Kodiak & The Un-Hunted Place is meant to be read aloud. In fact, part of the revision process involved me recording it, then playing it back and editing and re-editing in that way through several drafts. The discipline of listening to the narrative read-aloud against the backdrop of silence helped me find and preserve the depth of the story and eliminate the occasional phrase too hard to say... and transform the whole of the story into something more entertaining and fun to read—a better experience for readers one very much hopes to delight.” 

# # #

New from Provision House:
Kodiak & The Un-Hunted Place
Ryan Petty, author / Illustrated by Vera Kulikov
Publication Date: October 15, 2021
Distributed via Amazon and Ingram
Ebook: $4.99             ISBN 978-0-9354460-09-8
Paperback: $12.99     ISBN 978-0-9354460-10-4
Large Print: $21.99  ISBN 978-0-9354460-11-1

For further information contact: 
Ryan Petty
253-213-7719
RyanPettywrites@gmail.com
www.RyanPettyauthor.com 
https://Twitter.com/@RyanPetty77