Coffee with a Canine: Lois Lowry & Alfie

The current feature at Coffee with a Canine: Lois Lowry & Alfie.

Lois Lowry has published over 30 books for children, including the Newbery Award-winning Number the Stars (1990) and The Giver (1994).

On how Alfie got his name:

We went around and around about names. But then we looked at his papers more carefully and discovered that his mother was named Georgy Girl. Martin and I are old enough to remember those two British movies—"Georgy Girl" and "Alfie"—and the distinctive songs from them. The name fell right into place. And it’s a good name; it suits him, I think. He’s wry and clever and vulnerable, as Michael Caine was, playing Alfie in the film. And...[read on]

Sometimes, though, we say that we should have named him Elmer. He does stick to me like glue. If I’m in the shower, he’s on the floor beside the shower. If I’m asleep, he’s asleep at my feet. When I’m at my desk writing—he’s on the floor beside my desk, snoozing.

Visit Lois Lowry's website and blog. Also see: Writers Read: Lois Lowry.

Lowry's new book, Crow Call, is due out in October.

Read--Coffee with a Canine: Lois Lowry & Alfie.

--Marshal Zeringue