feedback on OG book idea?

[LokiToons]

I… honestly don’t know if this is the right place for this sort of discussion but A) It’s still about my original writing notes and ideas and B) not sure any other topic fit the subject of looking for feedback, it’s not a site suggestion. If I’m in the wrong place or this kind of thing isn’t allowed please, mods, let me know

I’ve got a book idea, and I’m going to try to be as basic but informative as possible because I’m a little paranoid someone might steal the idea and I’ve convinced myself if I manage to put this whole thing together tastefully for a wide target audience, I think it could actually be successful. I’ve only spoken to family and close friends about it and what would you know, received positive feedback- but I feel that comes with major bias. They’re family and friends after all, I know strangers will likely be more upfront and honest with me. The book draws inspiration straight from my life, specifically with my pets, even more specifically, my dogs. Oh great, another animal book, another dog book for that matter! There’s a twist. It’s not an adventure book. It’s not a guide to dog care. It’s not a Dog’s Purpose. It’s a new dog in the family type story (groan) but let me explain:

This story is told from the new dog’s perspective, let’s call him T so if this book ever comes to fruition it’s not immediately recognizable. T is the new puppy in the family, and almost immediately something seems to be a bit off. There’s some disconnect between the family and T’s presence, though still loved and cared for, the emotional connection isn’t quite balanced. The story is a planned 6 chapters and will mostly be told through color theory, expressions, and illustrative storytelling rather than written language (which will mostly be dialogue and slight T POV narration). Each chapter seems to tell a different life lesson but also pertains to one of the stages of grief- but it’s not T that is exhibiting these stages, it’s the family.

Characters:
T - The new puppy and main character, story is told from his perspective

B- The OG dog the family had, completely unknown to the reader he’s already deceased but he’s present to give T advice through the various stages of grief the family exhibits

Symbolic devices:
Tennis Ball: T’s favorite toy, it’s all he wants to do with the family. The tennis ball represents acceptance. T will almost always be seen with one or have one hanging around in the background as a symbol of his longing for the family to pick it up (and therefore accept his connection)

Lighting: Light sources in scenes will help depict when the atmosphere is heavy, serious, lively, sad, playful, etc.
Color Theory: Pairs with lighting, greys and blues for heavy scenes, vibrant colors for happier times, reds for anger, etc.

Chapter 1: Denial (initial disconnect)
Lesson: continue to be yourself in the face of a challenge, others need time to get to know you

Chapter 2: Anger (T makes puppy mistakes like chewing furniture and piddling inside the house and angers the family)
Lesson: learn and grow from your mistakes, they don’t make you a bad individual

Chapter 3: Bargaining (family wants T to know every trick B knows, comparisons, expectations pinned on B’s standards and not T’s own limits)
Lesson: it’s enough to be what someone needs, not what they always want you to be for them

Chapter 4: Depression (T must comfort a family member he finds crying)
Lesson: be present for those around you… this chapter is more of a plot device and the weakest lesson link honestly

Chapter 5: Loss (B’s backstory is revealed, he’s been deceased from the start which explains the family’s previously unknown struggle)
Lesson: grief is processed differently for everyone, there’s no right way to recover, it takes time and it’s okay to form new connections while honoring ones created before

Chapter 6: Acceptance (T finally feels he is fit in enough after taking all of B’s advice on how to be the dog the family needs and not wants)
Lesson: new beginnings are good and okay, they are key to growth, moving on at your own pace

Now, none of these are in your face, at least not planned to be. This is going to be the kind of book you read multiple times, and find a new detail in the illustration that wasn’t noticed before, or after the end twist is revealed, going back it starts to make more and more sense the following times. This is the kind of book your English teacher wants to slam down on a table and vigorously analyze and make 19 trillion assignments about. I’m trying to be basic and upfront because it’s a very deep, complex storyline behind a cutely illustrated art driven surface. That’s on purpose and this book will not be out there to make people upset. I’m hoping it’s a pet loss book that comes from a new perspective and gives readers self reflection and helps with grief in general. Anyone who has had a pet or heck, anyone who has lost someone close to them should be able to read through it and gain a sense of relatability or emotional connection. It’s planned to be for most ages, a mature topic wrapped in an appealing aesthetic… I apologize I can’t go through and explain it page by page but I can’t have this idea swiped from me, it’s all I’ve got. If there’s confusion about the plot or impact (won’t be surprised if there is) feel free to ask and I’ll clarify best I can. This whole thing makes wayyyy more sense in my head than it has ever done coming out of my mouth and written on paper. I think it’s because the illustrative part takes the burden of giving the readers what they need and the written part is really just an aid and straight context.

Chapters will be between 8-10 pages each
Total of around 60 pages and up to 120 illustrations (given one page means two sides)
Reader level between… I dunno, pretty simple because T is a young dog and must sound mostly like a kid. Grade 4 and up maybe? But appealing enough to adults too. Again, comes from doing this tastefully.
A lot of this will depend on presentation. Style will be cartoonish with fully painted scenic backgrounds (think Bambi 2)
Oh! Important note, none of the family member faces are shown at any point, they’ll always only be reduced to a leg or arm or torso to encourage readers to put themselves in the human’s shoes (since they are the ones grieving and likely the reader has experienced this too)

I’ll… run a poll for unanimous opinions and also this whole thread is wide open to criticism and feedback. It’s harrowing thinking about how much will be going into this, especially when the characters are my own dogs (yes, B and T are based on real animals and B is no longer here, since 2022 he was 6 years old thus six chapters to the book, so it’s a personally deep story for me, but I want to write it in a way that’s also going to relate to others) my motivation is ever changing and sometimes I think the whole idea is stupid beyond stupid… so, wanna see if it’s worth sticking to. Thank you for your time if you read all that and an extra huge thank you to anyone willing to give their honest opinion or even concerns I should be taking into consideration.
P.S. I will not be pushing any religions or agendas with this story, keep that in mind.

[TrebleMaker]

Hello!
This idea actually sounds pretty interesting. I've read books with similar(ish) concepts, but nothing exactly like this. This would also be a really good book for that age group, as it could help a lot of kids in the grieving process. An adult could purchase it for the child, not explain what the premise is, just that it's a book from a dog POV (Which common, grade 4 would be all over it just from that!), in hopes that by the end it helps the child to start their own grieving process, or to continue on their grief journey.
I think the premise is really enjoyable. You should definitely write it!

[Maniacal_Ferret]

Honestly this is a super neat idea! I think it’s great for that age group, maybe could go younger as well in my opinion, maybe like 1st or 2nd grades too. Over all it’s a real solid concept and I would hands down read and I’m an adult lmao! I wish you the best of luck with this project! <3

[LokiToons]

@TrebleMaker
That’s excellent! I’m not sure why but for me, I’d be a heck of a lot more disappointed if I was told the concept has been done before rather than just being told the idea in general sucks, probably because if it’s been done, then however well or badly it was received has already been put out. I’d like this to stand out and be a uniquely visual book. I definitely do see it as one of those books adults buy for their kids and if they read it with the child, they realize how mature it actually is and what was supposed to be a silly dog story is actually appreciated and well received with adult audiences as well. I don’t want it to be a one and done type book. Read it, forget it. That’s not the goal. It’s much deeper and more meaningful than that. I’m definitely going to be spending most of the book process just… planning every next move like it’s the one that makes or breaks the book.

@Maniacal_Ferret
Thank you! Yeah, for sure, most audiences will be able to enjoy the book. Cute visual style that attracts kids, mature storyline that attracts adults, it’s anyone’s next good read if done correctly. I try not to hype it up too too much, but I’ve always wanted to create art and stories that mean something. Help people. Maybe even help myself, in a way it’s a tribute to my first dog and an embrace for the new one. I appreciate the positive comments and feedback!