Local children’s author Pauleen O’Shea loves dogs. That’s why, when it came to writing her first picture book, it wasn’t surprising for O’Shea to choose a beloved pet as the star.

O’Shea introduces "Buddy" when she reads her first picture book, Buddy’s Bedtime, during a storytelling hour on Saturday, May 10, 11 a.m. at Changing Hands Bookstore, 6428 S. McClintock Drive.

In Buddy’s Bedtime, the first in the Buddy’s First series, O’Shea turns a bedtime experience into a pleasant routine for the fun-loving dog. Based on O’Shea’s beloved pet, the character Buddy, a Boxer/Sharpei mix, is asked to enjoy the outdoors, to finish his nutritious meal, to brush his teeth before going to bed. Children from toddlers to first grade will be encouraged to follow Buddy’s good behaviors and positive attitude.

In Buddy’s Bedtime, the first in the Buddy’s First series, O’Shea turns a bedtime experience into a pleasant routine for the fun-loving dog. Based on O’Shea’s beloved pet, the character Buddy, a Boxer/Sharpei mix, is asked to enjoy the outdoors, to finish his nutritious meal, to brush his teeth before going to bed. Children from toddlers to first grade will be encouraged to follow Buddy’s good behaviors and positive attitude.

Already being touted as this generation’s "Clifford" or "Biscuit," Buddy’s Bedtime contains rich illustrations that are sure to engage parent and child in simple, fun, but meaningful discussions about being a "big boy" or "big girl."

As an animal advocate, O’Shea is embracing this storytelling event as an opportunity to bring awareness to a cause that is dear to her heart.

O’Shea’s event will benefit the newly opened Maddie’s Projects Adoption Center. The new adoption facility, which is part of the North Gilbert PETCO store, is operated through Maddie’s Projects in Maricopa County, a collaborative partnership of 10 leading animal welfare agencies in Maricopa County. The goal of Maddie’s Projects is to end the euthanasia of all of the healthy and treatable animals in the county shelters by 2012.

Representatives from Maddie’s Projects Adoption Center will be on hand to provide literature and information about the adoption center. For information about Maddie’s Projects in Maricopa County visit www.commonpaws.org.

For more information about O’Shea’s author event and/or Maddie’s Projects in Maricopa County, contact Yvette Roeder at yvetteroeder@hotmail.com; 602-568-6501, or Jacque Alvarado at jacquealvarado@yahoo.com. www.buddysfirst.com.