by KC Frantzen
1. Which character did you enjoy most/least? Why?
2. Why is May’s first instinct to bite? Is she justified?
3. When May is introduced, why is April upset?
4. Discuss “A prepared puppy is ready when opportunity is provided.”
5. How do the two homes differ?
6. Why is Lobbie so important to May?
7. Which illustration is your favorite? Why?
8. How does Hans try to help? How is he successful (or not)?
9. What scenes in May’s story do you find funny or sad?
10. How did Sassy’s background prepare her for the K9 Service?
11. What part of the story, if any, surprised you? Why?
12. How does May manage her physical disability?
13. Which character qualities could be positive and negative?
14. What incidents show that May might become a good spy?
15. How does your pet communicate?
16. What else would you like to share?
KC Frantzen learned to speak critter at a young age. As a veterinarian’s daughter, she was always surrounded by four-footed friends. Occasionally her dad would bring home patients needing care during the night. He’d put the pet carrier on the dryer, and KC would stand on tippy toes to comfort them as best she could.
She began writing in elementary school and even won the school-wide contest with a story on deep sea fishing. Though she kept writing here and there, it was mostly just for fun.
KC taught fifth grade, worked for an oilfield supply company, a pharmaceutical company, then embarked on several entrepreneurial endeavors. She volunteers with a variety of projects, including the Joni & Friends Wounded Warrior Getaway. She completed the Christian Writers Guild Apprentice course, which helped prepare her to tell May’s story.
KC and her husband enjoy traveling just about anywhere, which helps formulate ideas for her stories. The family lives in the Tennessee hills – two humans, two Arabian horses and several rescued dogs, including May.
Taillefer Long shows how doing what you love can become your life’s work. He grew up in Florence, Italy, and Paris, France, surrounded by artists. With a background in foreign languages and marketing, he consulted with museums and art buyers, which allowed him to travel the world.
Drawing has always been a part of Taillefer’s life, and his cartoons still appear in various newspapers. He began illustrating for magazines and children’s books as a hobby, until he could no longer deny his natural calling. He is mainly self-taught, although he recently attended school in Italy, to fine-tune his drawing skills (and eat good pasta).
He says, “My passion is in trying to understand and interpret the world around me. Drawing, painting, writing, and traveling are the tools I use. I love the process of visual storytelling and collaborating on creative projects. Indulging people’s imaginations and bringing ideas to life is a great way to make a living.”
Taillefer lives between historic Charleston, South Carolina and beautiful Italy, where many of his friends and mother still reside.
And remember, a prepared puppy is ready when opportunity is provided.
So, if I don’t see you here, I’ll see you there…
~ May, the K9 Spy
O T T F F S S _
What is the next letter in the sequence, and why?
I know you are smart.
See if you can solve this puzzle on your own!
~ May, the K9 Spy