Meet Tom Watson, author of Stick Dog

This is a blog about things to do for bored kids, and I know it's not fair for me to say, "Hey, go find an author and drag him home!"  That could cause a bit of embarrassing paperwork down at the station.  So I won't.

What I will do instead is simply brag that I did.  And there was no paperwork following the incident. 
Meet Tom Watson.  He is the author of Stick Dog, and is awaiting the October release date for his followup book, Stick Dog Wants a Hot Dog.  While patiently waiting, he has been touring around, interacting with the kids and signing copies of his books, and, as it shows it the picture above, he also signed any artwork the kids bought him.

He was definitely not stingy with his autograph (which is a work of art on it's own!), and I worried he'd have no strength left in his wrist for my own copy of his book!   Let me dispel any tension this may be causing you- he was still in top form and signed through three grades worth of books and papers.  Then he went off and did that for seven more schools in a row!

Now Tom has always been the nicest guy I've ever known, and I am so lucky to have him on my list of friends I've finally met.  Long before we ever met, we corresponded in email.  I'd whine things like, "Oh, why can't I be as awesome as you?"  and he'd magnanimously reply, "You'll get there, kid."  And they were never empty words with Tom.  He actually sent props of my dummy books to review sites because he believed in me.

So, that's the kind of down to earth man Tom Watson is.  And even in person.  When he arrived in Houston, he went to my son's school first. 

After a long day of hanging with kids, I offered him dinner- anywhere he wanted.  He choose hamburgers.  From Culver's.  And was willing to come to my house and eat the food outside, not even complaining that the wind wanted his food as much as he did.  Or say anything about the half naked kid- still dripping wet from the pool- who sat beside him.  He was such a pleasure to talk with that I hated to end the evening.  But Tom still had a long list of schools to visit, and I really need to learn to share.

Now Tom is safely back in Chicago with his wonderful family and will hopefully be allowed to rest before getting back on the road.

If Tom ever shows up at your child's school, I highly suggest you get a copy of his book, have him sign it, and don't turn down an opportunity to shake his hand.  He's not a person you want to miss out on meeting!

• Tom's book in Hard Cover
• Tom's book in EBook

Tom's books come in hard cover, paperback and kindle.  Check out his books below and see how funny he is! Click on Stick Dog to see the reviews and fall in love with Tom's humor.

Please visit our children's book website: HoustonChildrensBooks