Saturday, June 27, 2009

A Visit with Dilly, the pickle lover





4RV is honored to release A New Job for Dilly, written by Rena Jones and illustrated by Lisa Oakman. The story is fun-filled as pickle-loving Dilly tries to find a way to obtain sour pickles without "stealing" them.

I visited with Dilly the other day, over sour pickles and pickle juice, of course. He politely answered questions I asked.



Vivian: When did you first discover your love of sour pickles, Dilly?

Dilly: I tried my first sour pickle when I was just a pup. I was born in an alley behind a little place called the Pickle Barrel Deli. It was in the back, by one of the trash cans, that I discovered just how wonderful and yummy sour pickles tasted. I’ve been a fan ever since!

Vivian: You are a rather unusual rat. Why do you want to be able to “purchase” or earn your pickles?

Dilly: I’d like to earn them because it’s really hard to steal them. Besides, stealing is wrong, and I don’t want to go to jail. Getting chased by scary men or having pots and pans thrown at me is no fun either.

Vivian: That makes sense, Dilly. You know, most people are afraid of rats. Why should they not be afraid of you?

Dilly: I’m a nice rat, and I don’t want to scare or hurt anyone. I just want sour pickles.

Vivian: I'll have to agree that you're a nice rat, cuddly, too. Your author, Rena Jones, gave you a personality. Do other rats have personalities? Why aren’t most other rats considered personable?

Dilly: Rats have wonderful personalities, but we’re often misunderstood. That whole bubonic plague thing wasn’t our fault – it was the fleas that caused that mess. Rats are very social, and when kept as pets, they will come when you call their name. They also love to be petted and can even learn tricks. However, a lot of people don’t like us and think we’re scary, which makes me sad.

Vivian: Please don't be sad. Here have another pickle. Author Lisa Oakman drew your pictures so well. You’re cute as can be, yet “cute” isn’t a word usually associated with rats. Can you tell us what makes you attractive?

Dilly: I’m not really sure, but maybe it has something to do with my pretty, blue eyes and pink nose. Maybe it’s my feet, too – I think my feet are pretty cute, don’t you?

Vivian: Yes, very cute, but I like your eyes best. Dilly, where do you live?

Dilly: I live in Bigfork, Montana, but I’m not a native. I’m a brown rat, which is also known as a Norway rat, though my species didn’t come from Norway. Brown rats live all over the world, except in Antarctica. It is way too cold there for my little, pink feet. And, besides, there are no pickles in Antarctica, so no wonder no one lives there.

Vivian: *laugh* Good point. What is your favorite part of your story? Why?

Dilly: My favorite part was when I discovered the beautiful sour pickle in the trash truck. It was huge! It was also a moment of discovery because I knew exactly what type of job was best for me.

Vivian: I've often wondered: How did you and your story find your way to 4RV Publishing? By the way, we’re very glad you did, and I never thought I’d say that about a rat. You’re different in a very good way.

Dilly: Thank you, Ms. Vivian. I’m very happy 4RV Publishing told my story. Rena found out about 4RV through a writer’s message board you posted on. When you mentioned you wanted to give talented people a chance to establish themselves as writers, Rena saw that as an open door and walked through it. You sent her my contract on 08-08-08. Rena’s birthday is on the 8th, and it’s always been her favorite number, so it had to be a lucky sign.

Vivian: Will there be more stories about you? Do you know any titles yet?

Dilly: Yes! I find a special friend in A New Friend for Dilly and then in A Dinner Date for Dilly, I get to sample all sorts of yummy foods with my new friend. Both books are going to be great, and I’m sure Lisa Oakman will do a wonderful job with the pictures again. Rena has even more ideas for me, but we’ll just have to wait and see what happens with the first three books.

Vivian: Where can we read more about you and your search for a new job?

Dilly: You can find out more about me at the following sites –

Rena’s website
Rena’s blog
4RV Publishing
You can join my fanpage on Facebook by searching “A New Job for Dilly”

Also, on Rena’s website on the “Links” page, you will find a PDF of activities your children can do after reading the book. It’s fun stuff!

Thanks so much for interviewing me, Vivian. This blog tour for my new book has been lots of fun and I’m honored that I was chosen for the final stop. I hope everyone enjoys reading A New Job for Dilly, and a very special thanks to everyone who participated. I think now is a good time to celebrate – got pickles?

Vivian: Thank you for joining me today, Dilly. You have been a delightful guest.

Today is the last stop on the book blog tour, but the contest is still going.

Win an autographed copy of A New Job for Dilly. All you need to do is leave a comment on at least FOUR of the seven blog stops. Rena will put your name in a pot, and a winner will be chosen at the end of the tour. Please make sure she has a way to contact you. But remember, you have to reply to at least FOUR different stops to qualify. Rena will contact the winner at the end of the tour to find out how they'd like the book to be signed. Thanks and good luck.


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25 comments:

Mandy said...

So much fun to see even more of Dilly's personality coming out and of course learning more about him! What a fun blog tour!

Michelle D. Argyle said...

Hey, thanks Dilly!!! I love sour pickles too. And I love rats. They really are just nice and cute and wonderful!

Rena Jones said...

Thanks for hosting Dilly today, Vivian. I hope all this attention doesn't go to his head!

Vivian Zabel said...

I'm delighted to host Dilly today. I'm just sorry my scheduling option for the blog didn't work. *sigh* Technology is wonderful when it works.

Dilly, thank you for visiting with us today.

Rena, you've created a wonderful little guy. Thanks to Lisa, he's come to life.

Bob Sanchez said...

Nice meeting you, Dilly! You're one of the most articulate rats I've known.

Bob Sanchez
http://bobsanchez1.blogspot.com

Beverly Stowe McClure said...

Normally, rats are not my favorite animals. But Dilly is the exception. How could I not love a little rat who likes pickles? I'm so happy to "meet" you, Dilly.

A great interview, Vivian.

Beverly

http://beverlystowemcclure.wordpress.com

Kate said...

Hi, Dilly!
It's great to finally see you in 'person' online! Yes, your feet are cute, but I agree with Ms. Vivian, it's your bright blue eyes that glow with adventure and your joy in life!

Rena Jones and Lisa Oakman did a splendid job bringing us your story.

Like you, I'm a 'worker bee' by day, so you were likely asleep when I visited the creative and fun tour stops late night, but I hope you enjoyed the jars of Kosher Dills I sent along for you - they're my favorites ^0^

Dilly, you rock (((HUGS)))

Morgan Mandel said...

Dilly is so very cute! Good luck with him.

Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
http://www.morganmandel.com

Unknown said...

Ah, another kritter to meet. Hmm, wonder if Amanda has met him yet?

Good interview and not at all 'sour'.

Jacque Graham said...

Dilly, I was so glad to visit with you here today. I love pickles too, but will leave you with your new job while I am busy writing my book. I am glad to have Dilly and his creators as friends.

Beth Bence Reinke said...

Wonderful interview, Vivian.

What a sweetheart Dilly is! So I'm wondering, will he ever try SWEET pickles? :o)

Vivian Zabel said...

Thank you all so much for stopping by and visiting with Dilly.

He is becoming one of my favorite characters.

Oh, Dilly, my favorite pickles are Kosher dills, followed by bread 'n butter pickles.

Thanks, Rena, for bringing such a delightful book to 4RV.

Rena Jones said...

Awww, thanks for the kind comments everyone. I just got back from the grocery store. We were out of pickles -- imagine that! :)

Vivian Zabel said...

Now, that's funny, Rena.

Don't they make wild huckleberry pickles? *shiver* That's doesn't sound good, does it.

Dee said...

Dilly speaks! Very cute :)

Rena Jones said...

Huckleberry pickles? Hmmm, you know we can find almost everything huckleberry here -- jams, candies, coffee, fudge, salsa, wine, even soaps, lotions, and candles. I wouldn't be surprised to see huckleberry pickles! I'd buy them, but Dilly would probably get to them before I could!

Vivian Zabel said...

Absolutely the best is Wild Huckleberry Apple Butter. Yummy, yummy.

Does Dilly care for that?

Hey, if red pickles can be made by using Kool-Ade, why not pickles made with Huckleberries?

H. Pinski said...

I had a rat named Taffy once...

Rena Jones said...

Dilly loves Wild Huckleberry Apple Butter, Vivian. Speaking of which, I found another store that carries it year-round, if you'd like me to get your some more. It's so good! I'm always tempted to eat it by the spoonful like it was applesauce.

Hilary -- Cute name for a rat, Taffy. Speaking of huckleberry, that's one of the biggest tourist things here in Montana, huckleberry taffy. It's SO good! Dilly doesn't have a chance with that because I eat it before he can even get close to the bag. ;)

Vivian Zabel said...

Wild Huckleberry Apple Butter year round! Oh, yes, I love that stuff and can even eat it with my diabetes.

Pam said...

Awww, reading this I fell in love with Dilly! I am looking forward to reading more about Dilly's adventures in coming books, Rena! And BTW, Dilly, I don't think rats are scary or gross or anything. Not so sure about the sour pickles, though, but hey, if you like 'em...!

Charlotte Phillips said...

Vivian,

Thanks for introducing us to Dilly. He sounds like an interesting rat.

Charlotte Phillips
Hacksaw

elysabeth said...

Good interview - it's always nice to see characters on tour stops - Good luck to everyone who is entered in the drawing - Looking forward to more of Dilly in future stories. E :)

Unknown said...

I've never seen a blog interview quite like this one before! I really loved it, it got quite a few laughs out of me. Dilly is a cute little rat!

Heather Paye

Adrienne said...

Fun interview!
For some reason, I craved pickles all last week... :D