Itty Bitty Again

In 2007, we told you about a new photo-illustrated children's book called Itty Bitty Saves The Day. Written by Itty Bitty's real-life owner, it told how the tiny runt of a dachshund pup found a way to use his small stature to solve a problem that his bigger brothers and sisters were unable to address. It told children that even the least of us has something to contribute, as well as the power to make a difference. And it was illustrated with truly enchanting photos.

Recently, we heard from Armando again, with some very happy news and some very sad news.

A new Itty Bitty adventure has just been published. Called Itty Bitty and The Hide & Seek Adventure. But it's a posthumous story. Itty Bitty's tiny size was a symptom of other health problems. He beat the odds by surviving at all – his vet gave him two days to live at birth. But the problems caught up with him in the waning days of December 2008. A few months short of his third birthday, he died – in Armando's arms – of a kidney infection.

Itty Bitty lost his battle, but the message that the battle is worth fighting and that victories can be won by the least likely warriors remains true.

In the new book, a game of hide & seek almost turns tragic when Itty Bitty's sister Missy hides in a tight spot under a hose cart and finds herself stuck. Generations of the dachshund family gather around helpless, but it is Itty Bitty, who has a plan and the means to carry it out. Once again, he saves the day.

Shortly after Itty Bitty was born, Armando could see how his siblings picked on and tormented him, just as he had observed the same treatment of the different and the small among human children. So the message at the end of the book is explicit, but no less important for that: "Remember even though you are little, you can solve a BIG problem."

Armando is giving 10% of the proceeds of the book to the church where he works as administrator, proving that a small book can help solve financial problems for a "big" institution.

Armando promises two more books. One will be a third Itty Bitty adventure, and the next will recount the little guy's life and lessons, and will be aimed at older children and at adults. Until then, for the children on your gift list – and for yourself – click here to get a copy of Itty Bitty and The Hide & Seek Adventure.