Ian Falconer, renowned illustrator and children’s book author, brings us “Two Dogs,” a delightful story inspired by his sister’s children and their spirited dachshunds. This book captures the hilarious antics of two pups, Perry and Augie, when left to their own devices.
The personalities of Perry and Augie, as Falconer explains, mirror those of his sister’s children. Perry is the mischievous one, prone to throwing mud, while Augie is cautious and prefers to stay out of trouble. This dynamic is central to the book’s humor and charm.
Ailsa Chang from NPR’s All Things Considered spoke with Falconer about the inspiration behind “Two Dogs.”
AILSA CHANG, BYLINE: How did you land on this dog breed in the first place – dachshunds? Why wiener dogs?
FALCONER: Well, our family has always had them – grandparents, great-grandparents, grandparents, parents, uncles.
CHANG: (Laughter) When you were growing up, did your dachshunds get into a lot of trouble when you guys would leave the house?
FALCONER: Oh, yes, frequently (laughter). You know, emptying out the garbage onto the floor, getting – I remember once, the two dogs, they got a ham off the counter and ate the entire ham, and they were so sick.
Illustration from "Two Dogs" showing Perry and Augie engaged in mischief.
The choice of dachshunds was a natural one for Falconer, as his family has a long history with the breed. He recounts humorous anecdotes of his childhood dachshunds getting into trouble, such as emptying garbage and even consuming an entire ham!
The illustrations in “Two Dogs” are remarkably realistic. Falconer revealed that he created a model of the backyard using artificial plants and sushi mats to achieve this level of detail. This dedication to realism brings the story to life and makes the dogs’ antics even more amusing.
CHANG: I’m imagining you cleaning up after them during walks for days and days. You know, when I was flipping through this book, some of the drawings, they look so realistic. Like, there’s this spread here of them sort of running around the lawn, watering (laughter) – watering in quotes – the flowers, playing by the pool. Did you start with photographs and sort of tweak the photographs and made them illustrations, or how do they look so realistic?
FALCONER: I made a whole model of the backyard…
CHANG: Oh.
FALCONER: …Using artificial plants. And the fence you see running around the back is actually sushi mats.
Illustration from "Two Dogs" showing Perry and Augie engaged in mischief.
When asked about the message he hopes readers take away from “Two Dogs,” Falconer emphasizes enjoyment. The book is intended to be a lighthearted and fun experience, highlighting the friendship between Perry and Augie despite their differences.
The story also touches upon a relevant issue: the return to work and school after a period of increased time at home. Chang mentions the idea of getting a companion for her dog, Mickey, but also acknowledges the potential for increased mischief, inspired by the antics in “Two Dogs.”
FALCONER: I think just to enjoy them. There’s no message in the book, except that they’re friends in the end. They’ve done something together, and it’s gotten them over their fighting – not much more than that, just meant to be fun (laughter).
CHANG: You know, also, this book – because we’re returning to work these days or a lot of people are, including myself – this book made me think that maybe I need to get a partner in crime for my dog, Mickey, because I do think he’s going to be a lot lonelier these days as I’m gone.
Falconer jokingly reassures her, “Don’t worry. They’re not that clever.”
“Two Dogs” by Ian Falconer is a charming and humorous book that celebrates the bond between canine companions and offers a lighthearted perspective on the joys and challenges of pet ownership. It’s a delightful read for families and anyone who appreciates a good dog story. This book is an excellent choice for parents looking for engaging stories featuring dogs. “Two Dogs” by Ian Falconer is sure to bring smiles and laughter to readers of all ages.
