When Alyssa Capucilli hosts "Literacy in the Park" later this month at Bowling Green State
University, hundreds of parents and children will clamor for an autograph, a handshake or a story about
her popular puppy, "Biscuit."
But Capucilli isn’t worried about the short time she has on campus with this group of fans. They already
have a special connection to her.
"I have to say there’s something about meeting someone face to face who’s read your book, or was
touched by your book," said Capucilli, in a phone interview from her New York home one recent rainy
afternoon.
"You don’t have to do anything more than meet that person because you already have that connection.
It’s magical."
The sixth annual Joseph and Judith Conda Family Literacy in the Park is March 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
in the Bowen-Thompson Student Union. Capucilli will sign books and read from her "Biscuit"
series, as well as "Katy Duck" and "Scat Cat." Games, food, giveaways and other
activities are also planned. The event is free.
"The really amazing thing about ‘Biscuit’ is I wrote the one book thinking I would never write more.
Pinch me," Capucilli said, laughing.
The series about the adorable chestnut puppy and his raven-haired little girl owner (who doesn’t have a
name) turns 15 this year. There are over 14 million copies of the books in print.
"As a former kindergarten teacher, I have always loved her writing style and storybook characters
for beginning readers," said Stacey Dudley, faculty coordinator for Literacy in the Park. "I
was thrilled when she agreed to come and share her books with the families who come to Literacy in the
Park."
The idea of writing about a "silly puppy" whose "woof, woofs" are interpreted by his
constant companion, came from Capucilli’s own little girl.
"My daughter was babysitting for our neighbor’s really huge dog and she wanted it to sleep
over," recounted Capucilli, who is 53. "The dog was so excited he wouldn’t slow down. So my
daughter started bringing him things that calmed her down – a blanket, a doll."
While Capucilli was touched by her daughter’s kindness and resourcefulness, it was the 4-year-old’s tone
of voice and choice of words that sparked her to think of writing about a dog and a child.
"I was really struck with her dialogue with the dog," she said. "I took that gentleness
and patience and love, but I always took that sense of dialogue."
"Biscuit" was born.

"You take from life when you write, so I drew from that. But you make the story what you want it to
be."
It’s important, Capucilli said, to keep children’s stories light, without heavy-handed messages.
"We can set the model, right? É I think books can offer kids that place we aspire to, how we hope we
treat each other," she said. "For some children, reading a ‘Biscuit’ book is the better part
of a day. I feel comfortable with that.
"It’s important to offer hope and a good view of the world, especially for younger readers."

In Capucilli’s home, her two children got to live out some of the "Biscuit" stories, growing
up. Soon after the dogsitting experience, they brought home Huckleberry, a chocolate Labrador, who’s 14
years old.
"He’s been a true inspiration," she said, citing "Biscuit Goes to School." "He
did really try to follow the children out of the house. He was at the door, let’s go. That was
definitely one that he inspired."
Her children are all grown up now. Laura, who first brought a voice to the little girl in
"Biscuit," is 20 years old. Capucilli’s son, Peter, is 25.
Her home in New York, though, is far from empty.
"I have a lot of little neighbors. They use my library and they come to read with me," she
said. "Sometimes when my husband comes home from work, there are tricycles and bicycles in the
drive and he knows we have company."
On the Net:
alyssacapucilli.com
edhd.bgsu.edu/rc/litpark/Home.html Stacey Dudley
This is the sixth year for "Literacy in the Park." The free event celebrates family literacy
and will be held March 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Bowen-Thompson Student Union Ballroom.
There will be a variety of activities going on throughout the day, including hands-on literacy
activities, story time, games and visits from Freddie and Frieda Falcon and Biscuit.
Each child receives a free "goodie bag," containing a variety of literacy materials, along with
a free "Biscuit" book, which Capucilli can autograph. She will give two presentations, at 11
a.m. and 1:30 p.m.