Small Tooth Dog Publishing in Arizona

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Story-Skilled Child Workshops

Posted in DaddyTeller, Learn Storytelling, Press Release - August 14, 2024 - 0 Comment

Unique Parent-Involvement Training!

sean buvala teaches in a classroom. he is sitting down
Sean Buvala is our lead instructor.

Teachers, Principals, Administrators, Leaders: How about a parental workshop that adults actually like? How about a workshop full of knowledge and usable teaching for parents?

Our unusual workshops focus on the oral-storytelling tradition to help parents create homes full of language. Homes full of language are an essential building block of literacy. For our Title 1 Parent Involvement programs: When you book our “Story-Skilled Child” workshops, you’ll help parents engage with their children’s education while easily building literacy and math skills. Together with our team, you will create memorable parent-involvement training that will leave your parents wanting more. They will be eager (and ready) to apply the content to their families from the first workshop they attend.

Our workshops and training will mesh with any parental-involvement program, with or without the Title 1 options.

They Say:

“The Story-Skilled-Child workshop was extraordinarily insightful and meaningful for any parent or educator. The workshop was not only entertaining but gave both parents and educators a new set of skills that will most certainly reinforce and celebrate literacy at school and in the home.” – Brian W., Principal, Sunset Ridge School

A Sackful of Features:

Fun!

Parents interact and engage with each other in the presentations. This isn’t an hour-long lecture on the history of literacy.

Authentic!
Seasoned, professional authors and storytellers teach sessions with decades of professional experience in schools and with their own children. Our focus and training are firmly rooted in the “what works” practice of communications, not just dry theory.

Learning Focused!
There are no “projected slides”* or long lectures. One or two sessions per school allow parents to ask questions and receive focused attention to their needs.

Practical!
Parents learn to immediately use their natural skills rather than having to add “one more thing” to their already busy schedules. The skills we teach blend seamlessly into the lives of families of all types, affirming what they already do well while giving them new ways (not checklists and charts) to integrate and encourage language in their homes.

Resources Used:
In addition to direct, live teaching and interaction, we feature two books as part of the learning.

In session one, each family will receive a copy of the “DaddyTeller” book by Sean Buvala. Focusing on the “put the book down” approach to oral storytelling, DaddyTeller will provide parents with eight stories to learn and use with their kids, applying the techniques taught and practiced in the first session. While the title has the word “Daddy” in it, the content applies to all parents and caregivers.

 

 

 

In session two, the focus is on family-history-based storytelling and interactive techniques for reading a book with a child. Each family will receive one of the great books for kids from our team at The Small-Tooth-Dog Publishing Group.

Let’s Talk. You could arrange a free demonstration workshop for your decision-making team. Please contact us at staff@smalltoothdog.com.

Notes:
*We don’t use “projected slides” for our workshops at most events except for large groups where some activities may require them.

**Presented in collaboration with The Small-Tooth-Dog Publishing Group LLC.

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Tags : books, literacy, parent involvement, parental engagement, Sean Buvala, title 1, title one, workshops

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Latest Site Update September 3, 2025.

Upcoming Dates

Nov 8 2025: Peregrine Book Company (Live Events)

March 13/14 20206: Tucson Festival of Books (booth/stage)

the cover of the moon was not happy compartiendo el cielo. featuring a blue moon against a dark skey with clouds on it. by sean buvala and arizona publisher small tooth dog publishing group

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  • Look Closely: Finding Wonder In Small Details
  • Mother’s Day Can Be Hard
  • Books for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  • Discussion: My Expansion

smalltoothdog

Niche #publishing specializing in books for kids & the arts. IG typos happen. Staff contributors. #AZ. #kidlit smalltoothdog.com #indiepublishing

"Stop ghosting your readers 👻" Writing a book "Stop ghosting your readers 👻"

Writing a book in the dark and hoping a publisher will “discover” you is the old way.

📢 Now?  Be present. Be authentic.

“People come to know, like, and trust YOU, even more than they care about the book.”

💡 Start sharing. Show behind-the-scenes. Talk about your story. Share your passion for children's lit.

You’re the author. You’re the messenger.

#indiepublishing #KidLit  #BuildYourAudience
Yep, we've got frogs everywhere. . Art by @theme Yep, we've got frogs everywhere. 

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Art by @themesquitetreestudio from our very first picture book, "Apples for the Princess."
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#kidlit #folktales #frogs
More #throwbackthursday 2015, our inaugural year. More #throwbackthursday 2015, our inaugural year. These frogs are from our book, "Apples for the Princess," and were our first coloring page that we ever offered. Art by the magnificent Michelle @themesquitetreestudio. We do art of all types now at events, all inspired by our great books. See you soon at the upcoming gigs with #peregrinebookcompany and the @tucsonfestivalofbooks. 💙
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#throwbackthursday #smalltoothdog #indiepublishing #kidlit
Celebrating our 10th Anniversary this autumn, here Celebrating our 10th Anniversary this autumn, here's a #tbt to 2015 to the first booth we did as a company, although we have been doing them for other projects for some time. These two (then) age 11ish dudes kept coming back to the booth to color more pages. This was at an event with the City of Goodyear @goodyear_art Arts and Culture fest out at the @goodyearballpark. 
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#throwbackthursday #smalltoothdog #indiepublishing #kidlit
Book promotion once meant a few signings at the lo Book promotion once meant a few signings at the local bookstore and maybe a newspaper mention. In those days, publishing was only for the elite and connected. Those days are gone.

Today, things have shifted. For authors of children’s and family books, social media is not just extra; it is essential. A current, active presence helps both the author and the publisher bring a book to life in the marketplace.

You should make your social media presence part of your pitch. For Small-Tooth-Dog, we are just as interested in the personhood of the author as we are in the book they write. Audiences, too, want to know the author. 

Why it matters:

📚 Readers and parents usually discover books online first.

🤝 Publishers look for authors ready to join in marketing.

🎨 Your voice and story help build connection beyond the page.

🚀 Consistent posting keeps your book visible long after launch.

If you are an aspiring author, start building the habit of showing up online now, so when your book arrives, the audience is already listening.
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#wordsonwednesday #authortips #smalltoothdog #indiepublishing #getpublished
🐇Okay, what's this about? Who says that?  Why 🐇Okay, what's this about? Who says that?  Why do people say "rabbit, rabbit, rabbit" at the start of each month? It's all about hopping into good luck!

This quirky tradition is believed to have originated in the early 20th century in England. The idea is simple: uttering "rabbit, rabbit, rabbit" as the first words on the first day of the month is thought to bring prosperity and good fortune. Imagine it as giving your month a little boost of magic, a sprinkle of fun to start things off right.

Rabbits have been symbols of luck across various cultures. In some variations, people say "white rabbits" instead, or even combine both for double the luck! 🌟

🐰 Want to join the fun? Try it next month and see if it brings a sprinkle of luck your way!

Do you have any personal rituals to bring you good luck? Or maybe a family superstition? Please share them with us! 
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Art from "Hollis Saves Halloween" written by Pamela Cannons Wagner and illustrated by Raissa Thomas @fuzzywyvern. We love Raissa's art for its modern, approachable look for kids today.  
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#RabbitRabbitRabbit #smalltoothdog #kidlit #halloweenbooks #osteogenesisimperfecta
Any amazing plans for your life as the seasons cha Any amazing plans for your life as the seasons change to Autumn or Spring, depending on where you are? Travel, adventure, or just settling in?

Explore your world near and far.  Like our puppy named Salt in our "Salt and the Sea" book, maybe you'll find out some new things! 
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#kidlit #indiepublishing #smalltoothdog #kidfriendly  

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"Salt and the Sea" by Sean Buvala @seantells and illustrated by @kseniiapanch_illustrator . 
Visit smalltoothdog.com/salt #smalltoothdog #booksforkids #ISBN 978-1947408357
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Catch us this year on November 8, 2025, at @peregrinebookcompany
Bears! Little kids and crafts- #throwbackthursday Bears! Little kids and crafts- #throwbackthursday to the @TucsonFestivalOfBooks 2023. We love doing festivals and crafting with kids. Catch us this year on November 8 2025, at @PeregrineBookCompany and (most likely) again at TFOB in 2026. 

Art from the book "My Expansion" and crafting from Michelle @TheMesquiteTreeStudio
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#smalltoothdog #indiepublishing #kidlit
When you were young, did you have a favorite book When you were young, did you have a favorite book about the oceans or seas?

The author of "Salt and the Sea," @storyteller, says, "I grew up with lots of classic books in my life. 'Treasure Island,' 'Gulliver's Travels,' and the 'Earthsea' books all stuck in my mind and imagination."

What about you? What books do you remember from your growing-up years? We bet there are some #percyjackson fans out there. 

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"Salt and the Sea" by Sean Buvala and illustrated by @kseniiapanch_illustrator . Visit smalltoothdog.com/salt #kidlit #indiepublishing
Who inspired your love of reading? From the autho Who inspired your love of reading?

From the author of "Salt and the Sea," Sean Buvala, @seantells :

"My mother was one of my biggest inspirations for loving books and the power of shared bedtime reading. Some of the books she read to me are some of the best books out there for children. She passed on books she loved to us. 

As a kid, I continued to love books, always eager for the next @scholastic flyer to arrive at school. Mom always made sure we had the money to buy more books!"

Tell us in the comments ↓ who helped you to love books. 
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#smalltoothdog #reading #kidlit
Rabbit rabbit rabbit. Starting the month off right Rabbit rabbit rabbit. Starting the month off right.
A #throwbackthursday to authors @authormamanda , @ A #throwbackthursday to authors @authormamanda , @tamera.norwood , and @themesquitetreestudio at an author event back in 2023(?) at bnsantan. Amazing people. Featured on the table is Tamera's book, "There's Good All Around."
Happy Mother's Day 2025. We know that is hard for Happy Mother's Day 2025. We know that is hard for some people to hear, so we intentionally left this message until the end of the day. It might be triggering for some. 

Perhaps you grew up with a loving parent who nurtured you beyond their desires and troubles to help you be as free and great as your heart desires. 

Perhaps you did not. 

Perhaps the person you called "Mom" struggled with their own upbringing full of "dogmatic bullshit" as author Nancy Manet calls it. Maybe they, too, struggled to be free of oppression, and yet they still passed all that abuse and yuck  on to you. 

Perhaps you weren't as loved as you could have been. Possibly, you weren't accepted because of who you truly are. Maybe you were told to be like a neat potted plant instead of a field of wildflowers. 

We know that Mother's Day isn't easy for some. Know that we see you and want to speak up for all those who carried their own woundedness as children and are desperate not to pass that on to their children. 

Maybe Mom has gone to the other side. Past the veil, and you're struggling with that grief...or relief. 

We see you. Our hearts are with you.

The works of Nancy Manet and Michelle Buvala honor that struggle or that joy. We're especially proud of these two books. In creating them, together with more than 1000 hours of art and writing, we talked endlessly about what they meant to us personally. 

We discussed our hopes and dreams for those marginalized or othered, no matter who did the othering. 

Ostensibly, they're children's books. But they aren't just that. Maybe your heart needs to see and read how one Mom grew past her oppression and grew to see wholeness in her child. 

Happy Mother's Day, in whatever way you are present today, we hope you find peace. 

Art by Michelle Buvala. If you want some books that others have used for healing and connection, check out your online bookstore for "My Expansion" and "You Are Not A Tulip In A Pot."
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#mothersdayishard #mothersday #smalltoothdog
Some kids aren’t tulips in tidy pots. They’re Some kids aren’t tulips in tidy pots.

They’re wildflowers—joyful, free, and vibrant.

You Are Not a Tulip in a Pot is for every grown-up learning to let go of “should” and embrace what is.

This book gently invites you to:

• see your child’s uniqueness as a gift
• let go of rigid ideas about how kids should be
• celebrate the unpredictable beauty of growth

The poetic words from Nancy Manet, paired with Michelle Buvala’s watercolor and cut-paper collage art, create a reading experience full of heart and color.

If you're ready to let your child bloom in their own way, this book belongs in your hands.
Available now from Small Tooth Dog Publishing.

#childrensbookweek #dei
Fairytales teach....that maybe you need to take so Fairytales teach....that maybe you need to take some journeys. 
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#throwbackthursday 
#bookmarks 
@themesquitetreestudio 
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Bring on the Monday. . There's an powerful new boo Bring on the Monday.
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There's an powerful new book coming from #kidlitartist  @themesquitetreestudio . 
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#cutpaper 
#watercolor 
#collage 
#childrensbooks 
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What if your child could start each day looking fo What if your child could start each day looking for something good, right where they are? "There’s Good All Around" is a gentle, beautifully illustrated picture book that encourages kids to pause, observe, and recognize the everyday goodness surrounding them.
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Tamera Norwood offers young readers a window into a world that isn’t filled with magic wands or far-off lands—but instead shines with the simple joys of a shared smile, a kind gesture, or a moment of peace. With poetic language and affirming rhythm, this story invites children to notice the little things that make life beautiful, no matter where they live or how their days go.
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"There’s Good All Around" is part of our mission and vision to offer children stories that reflect the richness and reality of their lives. This book gently reminds young readers that you don’t need to change your world to find wonder—you just need to look a little closer.
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#WeNeedDiverseBooks #MindfulKids #RepresentationMatters #ChildrensBooks #EverydayJoy #SmallToothDogPublishing
Author and storyteller @storytellerharrietcole sig Author and storyteller @storytellerharrietcole signs books at the @tucsonfestivalofbooks back in 2022 at our booth. Her book is "Fifteen Pounds of Muscle and Bounce," illustrated by the amazeballs @casey_fritz. 

Watch for Harriet's first novel being released by us in late 2025 or early 2026. 

#throwbackthursday #indiepublishing
"My Expansion—Embracing Your Child’s Free Spir "My Expansion—Embracing Your Child’s Free Spirit

"My Expansion" is tale of a parent’s journey to letting go of rigid expectations and embracing their child’s unique, free-spirited nature. Big Bear, the parent in the story, begins with a vision of their child as quiet and demure. But as the story unfolds, Big Bear realizes that their child is vibrant, full of life, and bursting with energy. This realization challenges everything Big Bear thought they knew about what it means to be a "good" parent.

This story speaks directly to the heart of parents, caregivers, and educators who may feel the pressure of societal expectations on how children should behave. "My Expansion" encourages parents to reflect on their beliefs and embrace the beauty of their children’s individuality, showing that there is no one "right" way to be.

Why You’ll Love It:

A powerful, reflective story about shedding outdated beliefs and embracing a child’s true nature

Stunning illustrations that perfectly capture the journey of self-discovery and acceptance

Perfect for parents, caregivers, and educators who seek to foster authenticity and creativity in children

We believe in the power of stories that challenge old ways of thinking. "My Expansion" encourages parents to let their children be exactly who they are, showing that love and acceptance are the greatest tools for growth.

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#WeNeedDiverseBooks #Parenting #smalltoothdog #DiversityInBooks
Some #throwbackthursday to making art in our vendo Some #throwbackthursday to making art in our vendor booth at a local festival. Was it probably the Tempe Fan Fest sponsored by @tempepubliclibrary in 2018?
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Discover Traditional and Hybrid Publishing in the areas of the children's books, arts, and creativity. Arizona