Welcome to 'Stewy's Corner'

COEUR d’ALENE — When a stranger walks up at 16th and Coeur d’Alene, real-life Stewy hops down from the front porch and trots over. Her little stub tail is wagging and she is smiling.

The mini-Australian Corgi is alert, curious and friendly.

“She likes people,” said Stewy’s owner, Kristin Cooper-Herby.

Those people can get to know her by visiting Stewy’s Corner.

The pink and white shelter with a small glass door built by students from Venture High School protects books based on Stewy’s adventures, penned by Cooper-Herby.

The structure was paid for through a grant from the Coeur d’Alene Sunrise Rotary Club.

They will also give away 100 free copies — signed by the author and Stewy’s paw.

"I'm sure we'll probably give away more because that's what we do,” Cooper-Herby said.

Her motivation to write is simple: She wants to get phones out of kids’ hands and replace them with books.

Cooper-Herby said studies have shown that if children are avid readers by the end of third grade, they'll go on and complete high school and possibly go on to college.

“My daughter struggled with reading. It was hard to find a book that really spoke to her,” she said. “So I thought, ‘I'll write a book that speaks to both girls and boys.’ We go to the schools and just try to get them excited and motivated to read.”

Seven-year-old Stewy is a certified therapy dog. Copper-herby takes Stewy to children’s hospitals, as well.

“She loves kids,” Cooper-Herby said. “Absolutely loves them.”

Stewy’s stories, with humor for children and adults, are written from a dog’s point of view.

Her latest is “Stewy Baby Gets a Boyfriend.” And there are the others written over the past seven years: “Stewy Baby Finds a Home,” “Stewy Baby and the Cone of Shame,” “Stewy Baby meets Santa’s Creepy Elves,” “Stewy Baby Gets New Neighbors” and “Stewy Baby Visits the Fantastic Fernan Falcons.”

All are illustrated by Blake Coker.

Stewy’s Little Free Library also has a small wooden box with a lid that reads, "Baby Stewy Finds a Bone."

Inside, are tiny treats.

"They can bring their dog and get their dog a treat," Cooper-Herby said. "If they want to leave a book they can, or if they want to exchange a Stewy book for another one they can. But it will always be stocked with Stewy books.

Fernan Elementary students and Rotarians are stopping by Monday for books and a chance to meet the star of these doggie tales.

And yes, new Stewy stories are in the works.

“Lots more just to inspire you,” Cooper-Herby said.