Author Story Time: Matthew G. Stroud

We are so excited to welcome local author Matthew G. Stroud at Lark & Owl Booksellers for a super fun story time with his book, MORE THAN A RIBBON! Following the story time will be a meet and greet with Matthew and his dog, Kermit!

RSVPing is not required to attend the story time but does help us get a more accurate head count!

ABOUT THE BOOK: More Than a Ribbon is a children's picture book set in the dog show world, following Kermit, a young dog learning what it means to show up, try again, and keep going.

As Kermit prepares for his time in the ring, he practices, makes mistakes, and faces disappointment when the ribbon goes to another dog. With encouragement from Pebble and Remy, he begins to understand that growth comes from effort, not outcomes.

Set against the sights and sounds of a real dog show, the story introduces young readers to the rhythm of the ring while focusing on themes of perseverance, confidence, and learning through experience.

Written for children ages 3-8, More Than a Ribbon offers a grounded, accessible look at competition, and reminds readers that the most important part of any journey is showing up and trying again.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Matthew G. Stroud is an author, award winning screenwriter, and lifelong dog lover based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His experiences in the show ring with his Schipperkes, a small Belgian dog breed, inspired More Than a Ribbon: A Dog Show Story, a children’s book about friendship, perseverance, and the bond between dogs and their people. Matthew believes that what we learn from dogs can make us better humans. His book is now being shared with young “Pee Wee” exhibitors at dog shows across the country, and he hopes it will also find a place in schools. A member of the Dog Writers Association of America, Matthew attended Columbia University and writes regularly for magazines. At home, he shares his life with the dogs behind the story.