South Carolina author Jonathan Miller recently came to the Horizon Science Academy of Lorain to visit and interact with students.

As part of a two-week visit to Ohio, Miller said he aims to inspire students with his story of how “The Adventures of Sammy the Wonder Dachshund” came about and other meaningful advice.

“I typically do two-week trips for these school visits,” Miller said. “I just talk to kids about what it’s like to be an author and an illustrator, and encourage them to read and make art.”

Miller said he began writing 16 years ago and was introduced to the hobby through making intricate paper art, which included attending art shows and selling work.

It was his friend’s dog, Sammy, who helped give inspiration to begin writing the series.

The book series takes readers through different adventures with Sammy as he works for the internet as a fact checker; each book is a different fact-checking mission, according to Miller.

“Most books he goes out on a fact-finding mission to prove whether something is right or wrong on the internet,” he said. “I try to show them real life implementations in the things teachers are teaching them in class.”

Children had the chance to ask questions, learn about Miller’s past, see the writing and illustrating process and more.

Ashly Brumenschenkel, assistant principal of Horizon Science Academy of Lorain, said children were able to relate to Miller’s story in a variety of ways, whether they were interested in reading in general, writing, illustrating, understanding literacy and more.

“I think that one thing that he is really talking about is how he had to work really hard to get to where he is, which I think that relates really well to our students,” she said. “I think it’s a great opportunity for them to meet somebody who has written one of the books.”

According to Miller, students were all interactive and engaged in the program, and even had a hand in voting for a color choice in an upcoming illustration of Sammy.

The program is equally as rewarding for Miller, as he has the chance to visit new schools and share his work to inspire more students.

“Kids in Ohio are always really good readers, they’re well-behaved,” Miller said. “I love it, I had a great time here.”

For more information, visit sammydogbooks.com.