Additional information
by Aria Mia Loberti (Author), Vivienne To (Illustrator)
This funny, adorable picture book is based on the life of Ingrid, the real guide dog to actress, author, and UNICEF Ambassador Aria Mia Loberti!
Ingrid knows she is fabulous. She flies around the world with her person, Aria. Working as a team, they navigate everything from college classes and ancient ruins to movie sets and red carpets. And Ingrid never goes anywhere without her string of pearls. But before Ingrid was the best guide dog there ever was, she was just a small, black puppy with very big paws.
Growing up at Guide Dogs for the Blind, Ingrid saw lots of grown-up dogs wearing special harnesses. They were guide dogs, and they got to help people and go on adventures. Ingrid dreamed of being just like them. But becoming a guide dog isn't easy. It takes a lot of training and hard work. When they are wearing their harnesses, guide dogs must be focused and calm. That means no sniffing strangers, barking, or picking up food from the ground -- no matter how good it smells! But Ingrid was determined to complete her training and become the best guide dog in the world.
This funny and heartwarming illustrated picture book will teach kids what guide dogs do and how they work together with their humans to become an unstoppable team. Plus, the back of the book includes nonfiction information about guide dogs, the spectrum of vision, Aria's life and career, and photos of the real Ingrid -- including her wearing her trademark pearls!
Author Biography
Aria Mia Loberti is an actor, writer, activist, and lifelong storyteller. In 2023, she made her acting debut as the lead in Netflix's Golden Globe- and Emmy-nominated series All the Light We Cannot See. Her critically acclaimed performance launched a diverse, rich acting career.
Before turning her focus to acting, Aria was pursuing a PhD from Penn State, studying ancient rhetoric. Aria received her undergraduate degrees in 2020 from the University of Rhode Island and her master's degree in 2021 from Royal Holloway University of London, on a Fulbright Scholarship. In 2024, Aria also became a UNICEF Ambassador, advocating for climate change and education rights.
From a young age, Aria read anything and everything she could get her hands on and has always dreamed of writing for young readers. She hopes her work can encourage kids to be the heroes of their own story and find magic all around them. Aria and Ingrid live in Rhode Island with their respective best friends, Molly and Etta.
Vivienne To is an illustrator and concept artist for publishing and film. She has worked in the art department for several animated feature films, and her illustration work has been published across many book covers and picture books. Vivienne is based in Wellington, New Zealand. When she isn't drawing, she can be found knitting on the couch, watching cute dogs at the local park, or lost in the pages of a good book.
