Sarah Brady
Updated on: October 17, 2024 3:36 am GMT
Chris Pine, known for his roles in blockbuster films like “Star Trek,” is venturing into new territory—writing children’s books. His debut, “When Digz the Dog Met Zurl the Squirrel: A Short Tale About a Short Tail,” offers a delightful tale likely to capture the hearts of both kids and parents alike.
A Storyrooted in Real Life
The inspiration for Pine’s book came from a personal experience during the early days of COVID-19 lockdowns. While out walking with a friend, he watched his dog chase a squirrel. This seemingly ordinary moment sparked Pine’s imagination. “I don’t think I know about a story about a dog chasing a squirrel,” his friend remarked. Pine thought this idea was universal, touching on a theme many pet owners can relate to.
Crafting a Timeless Tale
Pine’s book features two main characters: a dog named Digz, who believes he rules the garden, and a squirrel named Zurl, who doesn’t quite agree. Initially at odds, the two soon discover they share more in common than they expected. This simple narrative carries a powerful message about compassion and the importance of looking beyond first impressions.
Pine noted, “The story of it is really quite simple, but I think it doesn’t mean that it’s any less important to state the importance of compassion and seeing past judging a book by its cover.”
Connecting with Parents
Even though Chris Pine is not a parent himself, he understands the unique role bedtime stories play in a child’s upbringing. “I can’t tell you how many parents I’ve talked to, and for whatever reason, they are just sick and tired of reading book X for the umpteenth time,” Pine shared. With this in mind, he aimed to write something that children would love to hear repeatedly—a book that feels “delicious in the mouth” and is enjoyable for parents to read as well.
He emphasized the joy of reading, recalling his childhood memories of asking his father to read the same story over and over. “I thought, ‘Well, it would be great to write something that hopefully feels so delicious in the mouth,'” he mentioned while discussing his motivation for writing.
Bringing a Unique Style
Pine wanted to create a book with a timeless feel, reminiscent of iconic children’s authors like Dr. Seuss. He infused musicality into the narrative, ensuring that the words would flow smoothly and be enjoyable to read aloud. “It’s a story that’s very simple, digestible, and easy to articulate to young children,” he remarked.
His goal was to craft a book that would remain relevant for generations. “It’s a book that’ll be relevant now, it could have been relevant 50 years ago, it’ll be relevant 50 years from now,” Pine explained.
Encouraging Important Values
The central themes of the book revolve around kindness and understanding. Pine hopes that children reading “When Digz the Dog Met Zurl the Squirrel” will learn the importance of maintaining an open mind and finding common ground with others.
He believes that the experience of navigating relationships—be it with a pet or another person—teaches valuable life lessons. Pine has shared that this book serves to remind readers, both young and old, to be compassionate and understanding.
A Book for Everyone
“When Digz the Dog Met Zurl the Squirrel: A Short Tale About a Short Tail” is now available for purchase, promising to be a delightful addition to any child’s bookshelf. The book is designed to provide a fun and engaging reading experience that encourages bonding between parents and their children.
As Chris Pine embarks on this new journey as an author, his dedication to storytelling shines through in this charming tale. For anyone seeking a new bedtime story or just a lighthearted read, this book is sure to please.
Chris Pine is starting a new adventure as an author after being an actor. His first children’s book is fun to read and teaches important lessons about caring for others and understanding their feelings. With characters that kids can connect with and a message that will always be important, Pine hopes that “When Digz the Dog Met Zurl the Squirrel” will be loved by families for a long time.
