Bob Merz is the author of a new children’s picture book series, Parker the Homeless Dog. Its debut installment introduces a precious puppy living on the streets who is looking for a loving home and a family who will give her a name. The series aims to help families and educators of young children explore challenges, new experiences, and life skills with early readers.

Inspired by his family’s own rescue dog, Parker, Bob learned a lot from the rescue experience, which he found extremely rewarding. He wants his stories to teach important values that stay with the reader long after the book is closed. Empathy, acceptance, and building friendships are the themes of the initial three titles.

A marketing and communications executive living in Colorado, when he isn’t writing heartwarming stories for children, Bob enjoys spending time with his family including his wife, three children, and seven grandchildren. He also likes to follow the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team, attend stage plays, concerts, and movies, strength training, and being outdoors. Bob is an advocate for several children’s causes and animal rescue organizations and supports charities dedicated to veterans and cancer research.