Pegasus A Dragon’s Tale written by Gina LoBiondo is an award winning children’s illustrated book for kids; and it tells a tale of a baby dragon called Pegasus which grew up to be the protector and friend of the kingdom of the teddy bears (see our Book Review). For her outstanding and imaginative work, author Gina LoBiondo has received six (6) awards:
The Pinnacle Book Achievement Award (2011) - Children’s Interest (Winner)
International Book Awards (2012) - Children’s Picture Book: Softcover Fiction (Finalist)
Gelett Burgess Awards (2012) - Fables, Folklore & Fairytales (Winner)
Mom’s Choice Silver Award (2012) - Juvenile Level 1 - Fantasy, Myths & Legends (Winner)
USA Best Book Award (2012) - eBook Children’s Fiction (Finalist)
B.R.A.G. Medallion (2013) - Young Adult/Children (Winner)
We interviewed Gina LoBiondo about her work and upcoming books:
1. Is Pegasus A Dragon’s Tale your first children’s book?
It’s my first published book. I’ve been writing for 39 ½ years so I’ve written quite a bit in all genres.
2. Tell me a little about the book, and what made you choose a fairy tale and a mythical creature as your subject matter?
I wrote it years ago as a short story with two human princesses who found the dragon’s egg. When my nephew got married and became an instant father, his two kids became my niece and nephew as well. For Kameela’s birthday, I decided to get her a Build-A-Bear, which in turn, gave me the idea of turning the humans in the story into bears and naming them after Kameela and her brother Dayshawn.
As far as the faerie tale aspect, I’ve always loved them. I’ve loved teddy bears since my childhood when I had an adorable Knickerbocker Bear that I named Button Nose, whom I just recently found again and purchased on eBay. Dragons are beautiful, majestic and magical creatures and I adore them as well. I’ve read the first three books in the Inheritance Cycle and can’t wait to finish the saga!
3. Congratulations, Pegasus A Dragon’s Tale has won several book awards! Is there going to be a continuing series to Pegasus?
Thank you very much; I’ve been very excited about my awards. It’s all been a bit overwhelming! Actually, yes, I’m working as we speak on a sequel to Pegasus. It’s a brand new adventure with my favorite dragon and the two little bears at the end of the first book. I hope it turns out as well as the original.
4. What’s your best advice to first time children’s book authors?
Keep writing and don’t stop! Never give up! That goes for any writer. Come up with a good plot and make your characters believable. I’ve noticed this is sorely lacking in many of today’s children’s books.
5. What’s next for Gina LoBiondo? Is there another book in the making?
I’m working on a sequel to Pegasus and I’m also writing a new one called Button Nose the Sad Little Bear, the idea of which came to me when I found my bear on eBay! I also have a 120-page retelling of the Cinderella story that is just waiting for the artwork. I wrote it originally as a full-length, 2-Act stage play (which I will also be making available once the novel comes out) and the following year took each scene in the play and wrote a chapter around it. It’s, basically, the faerie tale we all grew up with but with a twist that no other version has which makes it unique!
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