Kent author receives support to publish children’s book

For the Reporter

Author Kelly Davis Beckley has announced the successful funding of her Kickstarter campaign to fund the publishing of her children’s book, “Faith, the Ugly Dog”.

The illustrated book is the Kent author’s first children’s book that showcases Faith, a Jack Russell Terrier with a skin disease that has left her with no hair on her head, her tail or her ankles. Some have said that Faith is an ugly dog, but Beckley and Faith refuse to believe them.

“I am humbled and honored to have the support of my family, my friends, my colleagues and fellow Kickstarter aficionados,” Beckley said. “I cannot express how much it means to me that I am now able to share Faith’s beautiful message with everyone thanks to all of the generous donors to my Kickstarter campaign.”

Inspired by her rescue dog Faith, whom she adopted three years ago, the book tells the story of a little dog that has been told, and is convinced, that her ugliness on the outside means more than the kindness, sweetness and bravery that she has on the inside. After encountering a mean dog that bullies her and makes fun of her, and her transformation into the superhero “Buzzardillopossum”, Faith realizes her true inner worth and value. However, did Faith dream this, or did it actually happen? Does it really even matter?

Faith, the Ugly Dog is a heartfelt and inspiring tale of the imagination that will teach children, and remind adults, that what an individual looks like on the outside is not as important as the goodness an individual has on the inside.

“My goal is for the reader to forge a common bond with Faith who will inspire them to feel better and be more confident about who they are on the inside,” Beckley said. “My main goals for the book are to empower children to love, respect and believe in themselves in order to make the world a better place, provide an opportunity for adults to share an open dialogue with children about Faith’s message that it’s OK that people look different on the outside, and to inspire readers to see the world from Faith’s unique perspective.”

Now that the Kickstarter campaign has been fully funded, Beckley will be able to publish and distribute Faith, the Ugly Dog to children with cancer, children who might be victims of burns, children with a physical deformity or even children who are subject to bullying, so that they might benefit from the fundamental message of the story and help them through any difficult life journey.

Beckley will donate 10 percent of book sales to the Seattle Children’s Hospital and 10 percent to The Humane Society of the United States.

To read more about the Kickstarter campaign, visit www.kickstarter.com.

Faith the Ugly Dog provides updates on the book as well as useful information on Facebook and on Twitter.