Cd’A student, educator create children’s book

When school librarian Sally Dodge adopted two pound-puppy brothers, Lewis and Clark, they inspired her to write a children's book, "Lewis and Clark: Brothers Together Forever."

Dodge has a history of reading to children in Coeur d'Alene schools. She owned a small preschool, Children's House, for 20 years; worked as a librarian at Borah Elementary for nine years; and served as a reading specialist at Sorensen Elementary until her retirement.

Teaching students about the Lewis and Clark Expedition gave her the idea to incorporate a bit of American history into the book. She wrote about her puppies, Lewis and Clark, adventuring together like their explorer namesakes.

“They were very connected, as true brothers are,” Dodge said of the puppies, “and that’s how I came up with ‘brothers together forever.’”

Dodge began working on the book more than two decades ago but spent years searching for the perfect illustrator to bring the story to life.

“I think the art makes or breaks the book, so I was very adamant about the art,” Dodge said. “I just had this vision of what I wanted, and I was pretty particular.”

In 2020, Dodge met Coeur d'Alene High School student Sage Pederson, who exhibited her acrylic animal paintings at Art on the Green. Although Pederson was beginning her artistic career, Dodge knew her work was exactly what the book needed. The teacher and student teamed up to complete the project.

“We added to the story as we worked on it together,” Dodge said. “She is so talented, she’s amazing.”

Pederson worked on the illustrations throughout her years at Coeur d'Alene High School and completed the book with Dodge in 2024. Her detailed, colorful illustrations feature woodland animals hidden throughout the pages for children to find.

“It took me a very long time to complete it because I started with almost no experience in digital illustration,” Pederson said. “I had to learn how to draw on Photoshop because I got the software for free through Coeur d 'Alene public schools, and I had to find my digital drawing style.”

Although the first page took her a week to illustrate, Pederson said she became more efficient and, by the end of the project, could complete three pages in a single day.

Dodge said she hopes to bring Lewis and Clark: Brothers Together Forever to museums and libraries. She already has two sequels written.

“I absolutely plan on illustrating more books in the future,” Pederson said. “After university, I would also love to write my own books and illustrate them as well.”

Pederson is studying visual communication design at the Alberta University of the Arts in Calgary, Alberta. She said her experience working on the book gave her the confidence to pursue a career as an illustrator.

Lewis and Clark: Brothers Together Forever is available at the Well-Read Moose and at www.lewisandclarkbtf.com.

    Sage Pederson and Sally Dodge at Art on the Green.