The bedtime book is a crowded genre, but with her picture book debut, Alison Kim manages to offer an entirely new take. The Art of How Dogs Sleep (Little, Brown; April 21) explains how our four-legged pals bed down: by finding the perfect spot, getting in lots of stretching, and picking the right sleeping position (possibilities include “the Octopus,” “the Turtle,” and “the Potato”—all hilariously illustrated). It’s simultaneously dreamy, quirky, and adorable. Kim corresponded with us by email.

Is there a book or an author that influenced your decision to write?

I was fascinated by the tiny Beatrix Potter books in my elementary school library. The combination of her evergreen style, charming animal characters, and unexpectedly small book format inspired me to create stories that bring whimsical energy into the world.

Did you draw inspiration from any real dogs in your life?

I’m inspired by all dogs I meet or observe, but I draw the most inspiration from our own rescue dogs Henley, Peanut, and Oliver.

Henley, who has sadly passed away, was my exuberant heart dog. He was a super snuggler, had the brightest smile, and was an expert in convincing other dogs to play. Peanut was always his pillow of choice for naps. Henley taught me how deep and beautiful love can be, and I miss him dearly every day.

Peanut is my resilient and optimistic go-getter, who has been the most steady presence since he joined our family over a decade ago. He was my first dog as an adult, and because of him many strangers have turned into friends. Peanut has the magical ability to make any situation brighter. He always goes for what he wants without fear, and when he runs into a rough patch, he bounces back immediately.

Oliver is quite serious most of the time, being a stickler for routine and his own made-up rules. However, when he has fun, he is the goofiest, most charming pup around. He is a connoisseur of cuteness, always taking the time to appreciate adorable things, whether it be a plushy, a pinecone, or a tiny round rock. Oliver prefers his space but is always nearby and leans in to comfort when he senses it might help.

What else inspired you?

I wrote this book during the pandemic, and many of the changes we experienced outside our home frightened Oliver. So I started working with animal behavior specialists and listened to, watched, and read anything I could find related to helping dogs that struggle with fear. I also listened to meditation recordings to help ease my own anxiety. I learned more about how nature, play, and breathing mindfully can reduce fear and anxiety, which influenced the playful and calming nature of this book.

Where and when did you write the book?

I worked on this book from my wooden desk next to a window surrounded by houseplants. Due to my 9-to-5 job at the time, most of the book was created in the morning before sunrise and during any spare time I had on weekends. Peanut and Oliver were always by my side, snoring away. I embraced my growing desire to work with traditional materials and wrote and sketched the book with my soft graphite Blackwing pencils on 5x7 sheets of white paper and connected the pages with washi tape.

Mahnaz Dar is a young readers’ editor.