Watertown Students Co-Author and Illustrate Local Writer's Book

“A” doesn’t stand for “apple” in local writer Scott Alexander’s newest book. It stands for American Pit Bull Terrier.

Alexander, 45 of Waltham, published The ABCs of Dogs Volume 2 in December with the help of 80 students from elementary schools in Watertown. A third-grade class and a fourth-grade class from Hosmer Elementary School and JR Lowell Elementary School helped Alexander write, research and illustrate his book.

“It was an amazing experience for me, as well as them,” Alexander said.

The writer gave students assignments like photocopied photos and researching a specific dog breed over several months. Some kids also illustrated dog breeds for the book.

This is Alexander’s second book in a series of ABCs of Dogs, which he started after seeing overcrowding in animal shelters and perfectly healthy dogs being killed because people had given them up.

Alexander hopes if kids learn about how much energy, grooming and other care different dog breeds need they’ll be less likely to get a dog they can’t care for later in life.

It’s a bad idea to get a breed just because you love them, Alexander said. He suggests people looking for a dog put the animal’s needs ahead of their desires and research for a breed that will fit your lifestyle. For example, people who will be leaving their dog home alone for long periods of time should get a breed with low energy levels.

The book also features heroic dogs like Lilly the Hero Pitbull, who saved her owner’s life in 2012. Lilly pulled her mom away from an oncoming train after the woman collapsed.

Both volume one and volume two of The ABCs of Dogs are available at bookstores around Boston and online. The books are also sold at Tail Waggerz, 217 California St. in Newton.

images via Scott Alexander

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