Mike DeWald was inspired by his granddaughters to start writing children’s books. He recently released his first book, “Bumpa and The Piggies: The Neighbors Next Door,” and plans for several more are underway. “This is the first book with this illustrator,” DeWald said in an interview Tuesday afternoon at his Warsaw home. “I had another book I had started and we finished it, but I changed the direction with it. This is the first book in a series.” He said he has 30 stories written. “That’s a lot of books, but they’re all cute and fun,” DeWald stated. The stories originated from his granddaughters’ playtime and imagination. “My oldest granddaughter, when she was 2-1/2 or 3 years old, she named her toes all names of family members. The largest toe was Bumpa Piggy, that was me. Then there was Grammy Piggy, Mommy Piggy, Emma Piggy and Hannah Piggy,” he said. When anything around the house happened, like some sort of mess, and Emma was asked how it happened, she would look down at her toes and blame it on them. DeWald said you’d have to talk to the toes and that created a dialogue. “It really took off when I went to the grocery store with Emma and I had a list of things to get in my pocket,” he said. With her toes, Emma would tear a piece of the list off, leaving a trail of paper behind. She blamed it on the Piggies. “It just created a very cute story, and I didn’t want to forget these things so I started jotting things down from her imagination and playtime,” DeWald recalled. “Naturally, it seemed to develop into a story. Kids come up with stuff all the time. I have a deep well of inspiration.” He said he spends a lot of time with his five granddaughters. He and his wife, Sally, have made their home accommodating to their grandchildren. “It’s a commitment from my family to take the time to care for our grandchildren,” he said. The stories started coming together in 2010. DeWald had a woman from Grace College who was going to help with the illustrations, but she became ill and couldn’t continue. He interviewed other illustrators but couldn’t find the right one. “Eventually, I settled on Rosemarie Gillen, who just has years of experience in illustrating and publishing books. She had a friend who was an editor who helped me polish and publish the stories,” he said. While “The Neighbors Next Door” was finished in May, DeWald said the second one, “Wonderful Colors” is finished but in the editing process. The second book introduces the characters of Ellie and Kaykay, he said. It will be out in August, and then he’ll start on book three. DeWald has been working on publicizing his book, from a five-day promotion on Kindle to a book giveaway on the website Goodreads. His first book also earned Story Monster approval. According to a press release provided, “The judges of the Story Monster Approved program, which recognizes accomplished authors in the field of children’s literature have spoken, and ‘Bumpa and the Piggies: The Neighbors Next Door’ by Michael DeWald has earned approval.” Authors interested in having their books considered for Story Monster Approved designation fill out an entry form and pay $85 for one title in one category. After a book passes the first round of judging, done by industry experts, according to the press release, the books are then judged by a panel of youth judges who also must endorse the book before it receives the seal of approval. For more information on how to get a book Story Monster approved, visit its website at www.StoryMonsters.com “I have met their standards,” DeWald said. His book is available on amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com DeWald grew up in Muskegon, Mich., on Lake Michigan. He met Sally at college, and came to Warsaw in 1985 to attend Grace College. “We’ve been here ever since. I got involved in orthopedics and I really liked it. I work at DePuy and I’ve been there 15 years,” DeWald said. “I’m now actively involved in my granddaughters’ welfare.” For more information on DeWald and his book, visit his Facebook pages under BumpaandthePiggies or Mike DeWald.
