Mudge and Lola in the Strollah is a true story about the love of two dogs for each other and their amazing impact on everyone they met. Written from Lola’s point of view, the story follows her from puppyhood in London to traveling to America to be a support dog for an older dog, Mudge, who has anxiety issues. The story shares a message about caring for an ailing pet, as well as having compassion and acceptance for things you might not understand. The magnificent, vivid illustrations of the dogs and their adventures together through many of the historic areas of Boston and Charlestown will be enjoyed by children and adults alike.

Age range: 7-11 years, Grades 2-5

Available on Amazon and barnesandnoble.com

About the Author

Iris Sokol isn’t a professional writer, but she felt that this true story about her beloved dogs, Lola and Mudge, was so beautiful that she wanted to share it, especially with children. So, over 2.5 years, with the help of her family, she wrote this story to share with the world. 

Iris has always been self-described as “a lifelong dog lover” way before that was popular. Her love for dogs is fierce and she has never been without one. Lola and Mudge and their unique relationship inspired her to write this book. It has been a labor of love and an accomplishment of which she is most proud.

In 1980, Iris graduated Boston University with a degree in Elementary and Special Education and was the Educational Coordinator for a private school for special needs young adults. After two years of teaching, she went back to school to study Human Movement and fitness, and went into the health, wellness, and ergonomic industry where she had a successful career for over 30 years.

In 1985, Iris founded Fitness Works at Work, Inc. (FWAW), a company that provided corporate fitness center management and health promotion services for premier companies throughout New England. Iris, along with her partner and husband, Ken, grew FWAW into one of the leading companies in the health promotion industry and in 2011, they sold FWAW to a national company.

Since then, Iris has gone on to create Ergowell, LLC, a health, wellness, and ergonomic consulting company that provides consulting services to companies and individuals.

About the Illustrator

Jory Mason always aspired to illustrate children’s books like her grandfather, John R. Neill, who illustrated a vast number of books and publications including 34 original volumes of Oz books. Lola in the Strollah is Jory’s third children’s book. She is an accomplished art director/graphic designer who is now focusing on her first love, painting and illustrating. Jory is an award winning painter exhibiting in Boston, New York, New Mexico and Italy. Her work has been showcased in “Strokes of Genius 8: Exploring Texture!” by North Light Books. The Contemporary Art Curator Magazine, “Collector’s Vision International Art Award” was given to Jory as “an artist who has achieved a body of work of major cultural significance, 2021.” She has attained “Master Circle” status with the International Association of Pastel Societies and leads painting classes and workshops both nationally and abroad. Find more on Jory and her work at her websites: JoryMasonFineArt.com and JoryMason.com

Other books illustrated by Jory:

• Brotherly Love: A Seemore the Seagull Tale
• True Friends Indeed: A Seemore the Seagull Tale