WALLOWA COUNTY — Dogs on beds, dogs in a tub, pirate puppies, a dog on a skateboard — what else would you expect in the “First Annual Go-Cart Race for Dogs”?

That’s the name of a kids’ book recently published by a local author and artist that promises to elicit enthusiasm from young readers.

In fact, since the book starts with a “local news promoter” covering the event, that’s just what this reporter decided — to have four of his granddaughters review it.

So the Bradshaw girls — Savannah, 12; Sydney, 10; Ellie, 8; and Addie, 6 — sat down to hear Grandpa read it to them.

Kathy Hunter, the book’s author and illustrator, came up with the book idea as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I was a performing storyteller before COVID,” she said. “I couldn’t perform anymore so I started doing ceramics. I’m also a writer so I put the two together.”

Photographs of Hunter’s ceramics — showing various dogs and their go-carts — illustrate the book.

Hunter, who lives between Wallowa and Lostine, also has had a local radio show and said she finds it rewarding when someone remembers hearing her stories read.

“Now I’ll hear from someone who’s grown up and they’ll say how they loved the stories,” she said. “I just love to entertain people.”

Hunter created the dogs and go-carts as part of a display she’s had in Enterprise. The brightly painted ceramic dogs and go-carts often reflect local themes, such as the dragon boats that show up on Wallowa Lake.

But back to the girls.

As they looked through the book, they picked out their favorites.

“I want to be on the bed one,” Ellie said.

“I want to be on the spool one,” Addie said.

Sydney wondered what kind of dog was lying on a bed — a miniature collie — with a larger one standing over it.

“The big one’s a Dalmatian,” Savannah said.

Syd liked one that had a dog mounted atop a mailbox.

“I want to get mail in a mailbox like that,” she said.

The girls all gave the book rave reviews.

“I really liked it,” Ellie said.

“I really liked the huskies,” Addy said.

“I think it was the best dog book I’ve ever heard,” Sydney added.

“I really liked it, but there weren’t any wiener dogs,” she said, an issue because one had just joined her household.

Will there be a second annual race? You’ll need to buy a book to find out.

First Annual Go-Cart Race for Dogs

What: Kids book

Who: Writer/illustrator Kathy Hunter

Cost: $15 paperback; $20 hardback; add $5 to mail orders

Online: www.kathytales.com

Email: kathytales@gmail.com