This book is based on a true story. Randi, our pet chicken, almost drowned in the spring of 2017 in False River, and she was revived by mouth-to-beak resuscitation.
The pictures of the real characters were taken the day the story took place.
When Randi became a full-grown chicken, we decided she needed to be around other chickens. Four years after the incident, Randi still enjoys a happy life on a chicken farm. Our family still visits Randi each spring. Randi is so happy to be with other chickens, but she still acts more like a dog than a chicken.
My students encouraged me to publish this book. One morning during homeroom, I utilized the story of Randi to demonstrate how writers use a bold beginning to capture a reader's attention. During the lesson, I realized two things: my students were quite enthused to hear that a man gave a chick mouth-to-beak resuscitation, and they were not familiar with False River. Immediately, I presented the class with pictures of the lake to help them visualize the culture and beauty of False River. Each school year, I read Randi the Chicka-Dog to a new group of students, and all of my students had a similar reaction of excitement and curiosity. Within a few years, my story became well known around school.
I am thankful that Randi, my students, my family, and my culture inspired me to follow my dream of being an author and illustrator.
