Difficulty: Challenger (Level 2)
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Milo is living a life most dogs can only dream of. The French bulldog has travelled all around Europe with his human, Kristina Tanso. Now, he even has a book about his adventures.
Published last month, the illustrated book is titled Milo and His Magic Skateboard. It follows the adorable pooch’s escapades as he criss-crosses different cities on his magic skateboard.
“I wanted to put together a scrapbook to remember the time that I’ve spent with Milo and all these adventures that we’ve had,” Tanso said. “I ended up with a children’s book.”
Adventures and friendship
The author found Milo outside the Austin MTR station in May 2020. After learning that his owners no longer wanted him, Tanso decided to adopt him. The duo left the city in March 2021 and now live in London.
In the book, readers will notice that Milo travels on his magic skateboard simply by clapping his paws together. In real life, the French bulldog can also skateboard.
Milo and His Magic Skateboard is not just about visiting cool places. It is also about the importance of friendship, as Milo learns that travel loses its magic without his human companion waiting for him at home.
Journey of discovery
Tanso grew up in Hong Kong. Her grandmother, the late Lily Leung Shun-yin, was a TVB actress. Tanso recalled how she would sit by her grandmother every morning while she did her make-up and told stories about her life.
“The way she spoke about her experiences, I could see it like a movie in my mind,” Tanso shared.
“Just like what she did, I wanted to bring my readers to a specific setting, where they’re almost watching a movie unfold and coming on the journey with me.”
Just as her grandmother did for her as a child, Tanso takes her readers on a journey of discovery. Flipping through the pages, readers will notice hidden details scattered throughout the book – for example, the little croissants on Milo’s bandana when he is in Paris. These are inspired by Tanso’s love for the Where’s Waldo? series.
“There are small details to discover that make the story feel more real. Kids can look for these clues and ask questions about them,” she explained.
“I had a great time writing this book, and I really hope you’ll enjoy reading about Milo’s adventures, too!”
You can find Milo and His Magic Skateboard at Bookazine stores in Hong Kong. It is also available online from Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Use the puzzle below to test your knowledge of the vocabulary words in the story.
Sample answers
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Stop and think: What aspects of the book are based on real life? The main character is based on the author’s pet, who can ride a skateboard and travels the world.
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Consider: How did Tanso meet Milo? Milo’s previous owners decided not to keep him, and Tanso found him abandoned near Austin MTR Station.
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Reflect: How was Tanso’s book inspired by her grandmother? Tanso loved listening to her grandmother’s stories, so she also wanted her book to captivate her readers.
