2. Terri Sabol’s Bio

After earning her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education, Terri Sabol taught early elementary full-time for nearly a decade. She also taught science-based summer camps at the Houston Museum of Natural Science for 15 years. Terri is now free to write full-time, visit schools as an author, and travel in-between.

Her Oscar and Emmy series is inspired by the adoption of her two kittens after meeting them during a volunteer shift at a local shelter. She never runs out of material for books with these two cats. They even have their own Instagram account (@oscar_and_emmy).

In addition to reading lots of books (including a weekly date at the library with her niece), Terri loves watching television and movies. This fun fact helped influence the naming of her cats, Oscar and Emmy, inspired by the Awards shows in Hollywood.

An active member of SCBWI, Terri also has several books outside of the Oscar and Emmy series, inspired by her community and her passions. If you would like to know more about Terri’s latest book release, or to keep up with her happenings, head to her website (terrisabol.com) to sign up for her ‘Oscar and Emmy Fan Club’.

3. Product Information

Oscar and Emmy Get Rescued

• Written by Terri Sabol; Illustrated by Roksana Barwinska

• Publication date: October 29, 2024 (3rd edition)

• 32 pages

• Children’s Book/Animals/Cats/Animal Rescues and Shelters

Oscar and Emmy Get Rescued/ Oscar y Emmy son rescatados.

• Written by Terri Sabol; Illustrated by Anna Edwards

• Publication date: October 27, 2017

• 32 pages

• Bilingual (English/Spanish)

• Children’s Book/Animals

Oscar and Emmy Weather a Hurricane

• Written by Terri Sabol; Illustrated by Natalie Merheb

• Publication date: September 27, 2018

• 32 pages

• Children’s Book/Animals/Weather/Hurricanes/Disaster Kits

Oscar and Emmy Visit Grandma

• Written by Terri Sabol; Illustrated by Natalie Merheb

• Publication date: September 2, 2019

• 32 pages

• Children’s Book/Animals/Travel/Pet caretakers

Oscar and Emmy Visit the Vet

• Written by Terri Sabol; Illustrated by Roksana Oslizlo

• Publication date: June 2, 2020

• 32 pages

• Children’s Book/Animals/Cat Care/vets/preventative care visit

Oscar and Emmy’s First Christmas

• Written by Terri Sabol; Illustrated by Roksana Oslizlo

• Publication date: October 5, 2020

• 32 pages

• Children’s Book/Animals/Christmas/traditions

Oscar and Emmy Gain a Friend: A Story About Trap-Neuter-Return

• Written by Terri Sabol; Illustrated by Roksana Barwinska

• Publication date: August 17, 2021

• 44 pages

• Children’s Book/Animals/stray cats/TNR

Oscar and Emmy Lose a Friend: A Story About Euthanasia

• Written by Terri Sabol; Illustrated by Roksana Barwinska

• Publication date: July 2, 2022

• 44 pages

• Children’s Book/Animals/stray cats/euthanasia

Oscar and Emmy Foster Kittens

• Written by Terri Sabol; Illustrated by Roksana Barwinska

• Publication date: Coming Fall 2023

• 36 pages

• Children’s Book/Animals/Fostering/bottle-fed kittens

Green With Envy

• Written by Terri Sabol; Illustrated by Pei Jen

• Publication date: July 20, 2020

• 32 pages

• Children’s Book/Social Skills/Peer Pressure

Kneading a Winning Idea

• Written by Terri Sabol; Illustrated by Pei Jen

• Publication date: September 7, 2021

• 40 pages

• Children’s Book/Social Skills/Perseverance

Kneading a Winning Idea

Written by Terri Sabol; Illustrated by Pei Jen

• Publication date: June 24, 2024

• 36 pages

• Children’s Book/Social Skills/Anxiety/Building Confidence

4. Promotional Information

Oscar and Emmy Get Rescued

• Oscar and Emmy Get Rescued educates children and adults on the rescue process and promotes pet adoption. It is inspired by the author’s true adoption story of her own two kittens after meeting them while volunteering at the animal shelter.

Oscar and Emmy Weather a Hurricane

• Oscar and Emmy Weather a Hurricane, inspired by author’s encounter with Hurricane Harvey, shows how to plan for and care for your pets during natural disasters and includes a detailed disaster kit list for pets.

Oscar and Emmy Visit Grandma

• Oscar and Emmy Visit Grandma is a must-read for pet parents and pet sitters alike. It focuses on the fun of spoiling animals and gives guidance to those not used to the everyday care of animals.

Oscar and Emmy Visit the Vet

• In Oscar and Emmy Visit the Vet, you will learn about regular check ups for your pets through the eyes of children and what you can do at home in between vet visits to help keep your fur babies healthy. The infographics in the back of the book teach about dental care, nail trimming, vaccinations, and hairball prevention.

Oscar and Emmy’s First Christmas

• What adventures can two newly adopted kittens get into during their first Christmas with their furever family? Follow Oscar and Emmy as they join in exciting Christmas traditions like gift wrapping, tree decorating, Christmas caroling, Christmas Eve dinner, and a visit from Santa. Let this story inspire your own family traditions, both new and old.

Oscar and Emmy Gain a Friend: A Story About Trap-Neuter-Return

• Cats Oscar and Emmy aren’t too sure about the stray cat that’s been visiting outside their front door.  

  After interacting with her through the window, and meeting her kittens, they grow to really like their new-found friend.

  Though their own experience with the stray cat, kids Abby and Charlie grow compassion for animals, other than their own pets, and also learn about the important program, Trap-Neuter-Return.

Oscar and Emmy Lose a Friend: A Story About Euthanasia

• Oscar and Emmy’s family has a difficult decision to make when their stray cat they’ve been taking care of has an incurable disease. Readers will learn all the steps involved through the eyes of the children in the book.

Oscar and Emmy Foster Kittens

• Oscar and Emmy’s family decides to foster kittens after volunteering at the shelter during kitten season. Readers will learn the process of fostering and the positive impact they can make by helping animals short-term.

Green With Envy

• In Green With Envy, Blade is jealous of his cousin Augustine’s beautiful green color and location in the yard. Blade tries to make the most of what he has, but finally can’t take it any longer and moves to Augustine’s side of the yard. After soaking it all in, something happens that makes Blade realize his old life wasn’t as bad as he thought.

Kneading a Winning Idea

• It’s time for the annual bake-off, and Ben is determined NOT to come in second place AGAIN!

  To take the first place prize, Ben will need to enhance his buttermilk biscuit recipe—and his inspiration comes from the most unexpected source.

  The winning buttermilk biscuit recipe is included!

Raccoon Reunion

• Join Rocky on his heartwarming journey of self-discovery, courage, and connection in his first family reunion adventure—where he'll discover that sometimes the greatest strength is helping others!
  
  This delightful story explores important themes such as:

  • Anxiety and Shyness

  • Stepping outside your comfort zone and trying something new

  • Helping others and sharing your talents

  • Teamwork and making new friends

  • Multi-generational family dynamics

  • Contrasting city and country living

5. Interview Sample Questions

• Why did you write “Oscar and Emmy Weather a Hurricane”?

“Oscar and Emmy Weather a Hurricane” is inspired by my personal encounter with Hurricane Harvey and promotes the importance of natural disaster emergency preparation kits for animals. This applies to anyone living in areas affected by natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and/or earthquakes. I show how to plan for and care for your pets during incidents like tornado alerts and evacuations. This book includes a detailed disaster kit list for pets, as well as Hurricane Harvey facts.

• How did your cats inspire you to write the Oscar and Emmy Series?

As any fur mom knows, I think my cats are too adorable not to share with the world. Instead of making them fluffy books or have the cats talk, I wanted to have an educational point to each one with added humor weaved in the text and illustrations. Also, as a way to honor my my favorite past cat, I have named one of the twins in the book after her. Abby is named after the cat I rescued and had for 18 years before I adopted Oscar and Emmy. This series is in the informational fiction genre. Inspired by real life, filled with facts and back matter, but fictionalized to fit into 32-40 pages.

• In your first book, “Oscar and Emmy Get Rescued”, you talk about the importance of spay and neuter, as well as wearing collars and getting microchipped. Why do you feel passionate about those issues?

In my author visits to schools, I tell them it is my family’s choice to keep my two cats as indoor only cats. Then I ask them if they need to wear collars (about half say no) or if they ever need to be microchipped (the majority says no). Then I tell them a story that explains how my indoor cats escaped without anyone knowing for several hours.

• Is your Oscar and Emmy Series only for families with cats?

This series is great for anyone, especially animal lovers. In my author visits, I talk about dogs and cats interchangeably when talking about pet issues. These are also great topics to discuss before you get a pet. I’ve had a few families tell me they love reading my books because they can’t get a cat due to a cat allergy in the house, but their child loves cats.  One Amazon reviewer gave my book 5 stars and said “I’m not a cat person, but this story was cute.”

• Tell us about your books outside of the Oscar and Emmy Series.

“Green With Envy” is my first book outside of the Oscar and Emmy Series. I love it for so many reasons. You are really rooting for the main character, who is filled with so much perseverance. There is also humor, lots of puns, a twist at the end, and beautiful illustrations by the talented Pei Jen.

• When do you write? Is it easier to write in the morning or at night?

I am definitely a night owl. It’s even my nickname. I can naturally stay up pretty late, which means I can’t get up too early. But I find there are a lot less distractions at night, so I’m a lot more productive. My publishing company is even named Burning the Midnight Oil Publishing since most of my work is done after midnight. (Fun fact… I’m typing this at 2am.)

• Who’s your favorite author?

I always have a hard time picking a favorite anything (even a color, song, or food because I like so much). If you follow me on social media, I used to highlight a picture of my favorite children’s books I read that week. Between libraries and Kindle, I aim to read 10-15 books every week.

• Where can we buy your books?

My paperbacks and eBooks are available at Amazon (bit.ly/tsabol). If you are in the Houston area, you can get signed paperbacks at Katy Budget Books. You can bundles from my website (terrisabol.com/shop).

I’ve also add new digital options- purrfect for teachers or enthusiastic cat families. I have jingles, coloring sheets, and lesson plans available too.

• What do you have coming up?

I’ve been very busy. I created a box set for the Oscar and Emmy Series containing 8 books.

I also have a brand new series, The Know It Owl Series, where I will release 4 books in the spring and 2 more later in the year. I will creat box sets for every 6 books that come out. I even have an Owl plushie!

I created an imprint under my Burning the Midnight Oil Publishing company to publish other genre books by myself or others. The first book under Inspiring Light Press is called Adopted for Good by Dede Kolb. It is so good! I acually taught the main character in the story when she was in 2nd grade.