Writing alumna Samantha Childs ’14 has recently published her new picture book titled Henri and the Magnificent Snort (Sea Lavender Publishing, 2023).
Henri and the Magnificent Snort introduces us to Henri, a gleeful French bulldog with a distinct snort. Facing bullying after a family move, Henri embarks on a journey of self-discovery, teaching readers the importance of kindness, self-love, and embracing one's quirks. A touching tale for all ages, it serves as a poignant reminder: we are all lovable, snorts included.
The book, illustrated by Hannah Farr, is based on Childs’s dog and Instagram celebrity Henrie Le Frenchie. The story is inspired by Childs's experiences of being bullied in middle school, and by the hope that its messages of celebrating differences, belonging, love, and self-love will help others to see their own magnificence.
Samantha Childs has wanted to write kid's books ever since she was a kid. She earned a BA with Honors in Literature from Claremont McKenna College and an MFA in Nonfiction Writing from Columbia University, and then a little French bulldog named Henri came along and brought her first book to life. Samantha has taught writing to students of all ages and lives and writes in Southern California.
