Sandee Rodriguez publishes second pug book
A regional children’s author has released a second book in her pug series, which is based on her own pets.
Sandee Rodriguez of Ypsilanti self-published the pug-themed book “The Tummy Grumble” on Jan. 28. The book is available at Adventure, Ink in Milan, where a book signing is set for July.
“The Tummy Grumble is a pastry and coffee shop that is run by the Rodriguez grumble,” the book description said. “A ‘grumble’ is three or more pugs. Fosse, Java and Olive help humans Sandee and Rob run the shop. Adventures happen daily, and they always work to turn any bad day or situation into a good one.”
“The Tummy Grumble is where the pug brothers meet their new sister pug, and you see the pastry and coffee shop they all work in with their humans,” Rodriguez added.
Famed pastry chef Elizabeth Falkner and her dog, Hendrix, are characters in the book.
The first book in Rodriguez’s pug series, “How the Pugs Saved Christmas,” was released in 2021. That book was illustrated by an artist in the United Kingdom.
For “The Tummy Grumble,” Rodriguez looked a little closer to home. She found Westland-based artist Ray Gray.
Gray was convicted of murder in Detroit in 1974 and spent nearly 50 years in prison. He was released in 2021, at the age of 70.
“I found Ray from an article on the internet,” Rodriguez said.
Gray, who maintains his innocence in the crime, is an artist and said art helped him through his prison sentence. Today, illustrating is one of his hobbies.
“I did the color illustration on the cover and several others,” Gray said. “My wife (Barbara) assisted me at times. We wish Sandee and her book all the best.”
All proceeds from the sale of “The Tummy Grumble” will benefit the Canadian Innocence Project, which aided Gray in his release.
The paperback book is 62 pages and is available for $5.99 at Adventure, Ink in Milan.
Laura Harvey, owner of the store, said Rodriguez’s first book is selling well locally.
“I didn't realize how dedicated pug fans were. We actually had several people come from Monroe to buy her book,” Harvey said.
Harvey met Rodriguez when the two were working at Borders at Arborland Mall in Ann Arbor about 20 years ago.
“Sandee is great person, super positive, super cheerful, always supportive of those around her. When I heard she was publishing books I knew I needed them in my store. I think my favorite thing about Sandee's books are that they're kind of a reflection of her personality. She loves her pugs, and she's loved kids for as long as I've known her. She was one of our go-to storytime readers at Borders,” Harvey said.
Rodriguez will sign copies of her books from 5 to 8 p.m. July 20 at Adventure, Ink.
“That is during one of Milan's Third Thursday events, so there will be lots to do downtown. She says she'll likely have another book out by then as well,” Harvey said.
Rodriguez’s books also are available on Amazon.
Rodriguez began writing in 1988, first poetry and then children’s books. She’s also written stage plays, screenplays, short stories and more. She has degrees in journalism and behavior science.
She is currently working on other books in the pug series and hopes to release the third title this spring.
“Those are my pugs, and they just write the story themselves,” Rodriguez said. “So far I have 12 more stories in my head to write.”
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Sandee Rodriguez publishes second pug book
