David Sargent Jr. and Tatum, Emma, Daphne and Spike will visit Madison Elementary School on Dec. 18 to discuss his book series, “Doggie-Tales.” (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Students at Madison Elementary School will have a treat on Dec. 18 when author David Sargent Jr. visits with four of his four-legged friends.

Sargent has written a series of children’s books, “Doggie-Tales,” about his pet dogs, Tatum, Emma, Daphne and Spike. Three dogs are dachshunds and one is a Pomeranian.

All students in kindergarten through third grade will visit with Sargent at 8:30 a.m. Students can purchase Sargent’s books and posters and he will autograph items, Madison elementary media specialist Shanna Edgar said.

In November, Sargent contacted Madison elementary about visiting the school. Students can attend at no cost or with any purchase expectation.

He will explain the ways that his pet dogs inspired him to write books. “Our students will have an opportunity to meet the main characters from his Doggie-Tales book series — Tatum, Emma, Daphne and Spike,” Edgar said.

“Some of his furry friends will even do tricks, and he will read one of the stories with our students,” Edgar said. “Mr. Sargent will excite our students about reading and inspire them to write stories of their own.”

Titles in Sargent’s “Doggie-Tales” series include “Portia’s Prank,” “Emma’s Derby Dash,” “Buffy’s Haircut,” “Spike’s Attack,” “Vicious Vera,” “Snake Wrangler Daphne” and “Top Dog Tatum.”

Sargent was born and raised on a dairy farm in Fayetteville, Ark. He attended the University of Arkansas and now lives in a small town in northwest Arkansas with his dogs.

Sargent and his dogs travel across the United States “speaking to children about how everyday things that surround you can spawn ideas for writing and being creative,” Edgar said.

“He shares his experiences of becoming an author in an entertaining yet informative talk with his dogs,” Edgar said. “He shows students that anyone can be an author.”

For more information, contact Ozark Publishing Inc., P.O. Box 228, Prairie Grove, AR 72753, call 1-800-321-5671 or visit ozarkpublishing.us.