Pupil's idea ends up in author's new book

Autumn Varca HOWELL — Land O' Pines School pupil Autumn Varca may only be in the fourth grade, but she is already poised to become a published author.

Autumn will be credited as a co-author of "Casey and Bella Go Green" after winning the grand prize in a national book writing contest for third- and fourth-graders held by Jane Lovascio, author of the children's book series "Casey and Bella."

The 3-year-old book series, based on Lovascio's real-life Jack Russell terrier and teacup Yorkie, chronicles the adventures of the two dogs as they travel to various places, including New York City and Hollywood.

While only two books in the series have been published, Lovascio has seven more books completed, with the canine duo traveling to locales like Boston and the carnival.

Each installment in the series includes a moral message and donates to a specific charity. "Casey and Bella Go to New York City" supports Loving Paws Assistance Dogs, an organization that trains therapy dogs to help disabled children, and "Casey and Bella Go to Hollywood" contributes to the Jubilee Center of Hoboken.

Autumn's book, set for publication in September, will be the third installment in the series and benefits Autism Speaks.

The contest originated from the culmination of Lovascio's 200 school visits throughout New York and New Jersey.

"Children love it when they find out that Casey and Bella are real dogs," she said. "At each school, students would start suggesting ideas of where to send them next — to Disneyland, to the North Pole, to the moon. They had such great ideas that I thought I should give them an outlet and make them part of the next book."

Students who wished to participate in the contest were required to submit a story idea in 400 words or less detailing where Casey and Bella should travel next, who the pair will meet and what lessons they will learn along the way.

Lovascio received 506 entries from schools nationwide between the beginning of September and April 15.

"I was overwhelmed at the amount of responses I had," Lovascio said. "It's a small publisher and I'm a local author, so to get entries from kids around the country was a pleasant surprise, to say the least."

Autumn's entry, "Casey and Bella Go Green," was chosen as the winner based on creativity, originality and the proposed moral message.

"It just had a wonderful message of pitching in and making a difference in your community," said Lovascio.

In regard to the book's publication, Lovascio has kept Autumn's idea intact and expanded upon her theme of "keeping our neighborhoods clean" using characters in Autumn's own life, such as her cat, Spaz.

She has also added rhyme schemes in order for the book to remain consistent with the other books in the series.

The creator of "Casey and Bella" will travel to the Land O' Pines School on June 19 to honor Autumn in a special ceremony and to present her with the grand prize — a $500 cash prize, a "Casey and Bella" plaque and a personalized sign book and photograph.

She will be traveling to other schools to present the second-, third- and fourth-place winners with their awards.

In addition to the award ceremonies, Lovascio held a party to celebrate the writing contest and Casey and Bella's birthdays. The party was held in New York on June 6 and featured goodie bags, a sneak peek at the next book and a chance to take a picture with the real Casey and Bella.

"I wanted to do something special for the kids who participated in the contest, so I invited all 506 of them to a party," Lovascio said. "They're specially invited as VIP guests."

While this is the first time the writing contest was held, Lovascio said she is planning to continue it annually and include fifth-graders as well.

"I want children to realize they are already authors," she said. "They write in school every day, but I want to give them more of an opportunity to take it to the next level."

Lovascio will be at Barnes and Noble, Route 9, Freehold, on June 20 with the real Casey and Bella for a reading and paw-print signing.