Behind the Story
Learn more about the author and the heartfelt story behind the book.
About Jim McPherson | Author & Creator
Jim McPherson was born in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1969 and is the youngest of four siblings of loving parents, John and Linda McPherson. He is married to Kristi and has one daughter, Lainey who was born in July 2007. They currently reside in The Woodlands, Texas. Jim is a true dog lover and has owned six miniature dachshunds throughout his life as well as several other breeds. He wrote the book in loving memory of two of his favorite dachshunds (Mitsy & Jackson) and his life experiences with Lainey's horrible fear of wasps since being stung by one as a young child.
Author's Note
Lainey was stung by a wasp when she was 11 months old which caused her severe pain and a very swollen hand. She was trying to play with the wasp that stung her, creating her traumatic fear of wasps to this very day. Mitsy and Jackson were our miniature dachshunds at the time and were very protective of Lainey. They loved her with all their heart from the day she was born and throughout their entire lives. Their deep love for Lainey helped craft my inspiration to write this children's book in their memory and now provide an animated film in their honor. Mitsy and Jackson both passed away in mid-2019 and within sixty days of each other. I have included pictures of them with Lainey on the book's inside cover and many more are provided at the end of the animated movie. They were the best two dogs I've ever owned and were inseparable till the very end.
I grew up loving Christmas as a child and watching as many animated movies as possible. I remember the excitement when a new movie would come out and the internal joy it brought watching it with my family. I still love Christmas - the cold crisp air, setting up the tree, the decorative lights everywhere, holiday music on the radio, the fireplace going, gifts wrapped under the tree and seeing the joy on both adults and children's faces.
This story blends in our love for pets, dangers lurking in nature, loyal heroic dogs who are willing to sacrifice it all and the magic of Christmas all in one. The story is told through Mitsy & Jackson's eyes as well as the Wasp's viewpoint with their evil intentions. This allows children to really connect in a unique way with each of the characters and their distinct personalities/emotions. The animated movie is narrated to tie exactly to the book script, yet each character comes to life with their own voices, actions and expressions throughout the film.
I hope children and families will enjoy this story for years to come.
“May you never be too grown-up to search the skies on Christmas Eve”
Warmest regards,
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