Friends collaborate to create children’s Fair book

Two longtime friends have co-authored a children’s book featuring a 10-year-old standard poodle that goes to the Neshoba County Fair.

“Watson Goes to the Fair” is the brainchild of Neshoba Central Elementary School fifth grade teacher Krissy Winstead Long and Dekota Cheatham, who teaches biology and nutrition at East Central Community College. 

Abby Rigdon Tingle is the illustrator.

A book launch party is set for Friday at 10:30 a.m. at the Philadelphia-Neshoba County Public Library, followed by additional activities in Dewitt DeWeese Park until 3 p.m.

The family-orientated party will begin with a book reading inside the library and then move to the park where there will be a number of free activities for children including free games and a bouncy house among other fun things.

Mr. Munchies’ food truck will be on hand featuring a “Watson Special” and other kid-friendly food for a small price. A “do it yourself” tie-dye t-shirt booth will also be available for a small fee.

The book will be on sale throughout the afternoon.

The authors will sign autographs and Watson will “paw sign” books.

Cheatham, Watson’s initial owner, found his mischievous nature a little too much to handle after her second child was born. So, she turned to friend Krissy and her husband, Matthew. They were a good fit.

“We just took him in and we have had him for almost two years,” Long said.

The two families, which includes Cheatham’s husband Daniel, swapped Watson stories over the years, which sparked the idea for a children’s book about him.

The consensus was that “Watson is the dog who trains people” in a number of unique ways.

“The things that Watson does are just comical at times,” Long said. “We knew children would love him and that his stories always had a good underlying meaning.”

While Watson is very smart, Cheatham said “you have to be on your toes with him, especially where food is concerned.”

The dog is known to swipe a sandwich off the table in a matter of seconds.

Recalling all their shared Watson stories, the two friends “just sat down one day” and wrote “Watson Goes to the Fair.”

“When we were finished, our brains were just fried but it was so much fun,” Long said.

The first printing of the self-published book included 500 copies.

The authors wanted to tie in some local aspects in the book, so readers will find Watson trapped in a chair race for “Marty and HARDY.”

In the book, Watson journeys to Founders Square, participates in a horse race, enjoys funnel cakes and other foods in the Midway, and finds himself in “crafter’s paradise” in the Exhibit Hall. 

Watson even makes new friends in the camper section on the Fairgrounds.

Like most Fairgoers, Watson watched the fireworks “light up the night sky” from the Ferris wheel.

Names of the authors’ children appear in the book on artwork in the Fair’s Exhibit Hall. The Longs’ family cabin is illustrated on one page in the book and also a family-owned yellow Jeep, which was a staple at the Fair.

“Watson loved riding in that Jeep during the Fair,” Cheatham said. “He had his own harness!”

The authors, who co-own The Local Authority, will also have their book and other items for sale at the Flea Market on Saturday of the Fair.

The Local Authority is a cooperative for local artisans and other people who make merchandise to have a hub for sales, Long said.

Cheatham said the business promotes Philadelphia as a whole by supporting all the local talent.

“A lot of people don’t have time to go to arts and crafts shows,” she said. “So, we are a hub for them.”

The busy authors do not plan to stop with their first book as they are already brainstorming for the second in their Watson series. However, readers will have to wait to see where the 82-pound poodle will adventure next.

Tingle is already on board to be their illustrator.

“Watson Goes to the Fair” was her second children’s book to illustrate.

“She is going to be our partner throughout the series,” Long said. “She is absolutely wonderful.”