Photo provided by Tia McGraff
Norfolk County singer-songwriter Tia McGraff is sharing another chapter in the adventures of her beloved rescue dog Jake, with a new children’s book that explores friendship, acceptance and dealing with loss.
McGraff has officially released “In Your Dreams, Jake“, the sequel to her first middle-grade novel, “Jake the Road Dog“.
The series follows Jake, a shelter dog from Nashville, Tennessee, who finds a new home with touring musicians Tia and Tommy. Along the way, Jake travels across Canada and the United States, making friends, discovering music and finding his place in the world.
While the books are written as fiction, McGraff says many of the adventures are inspired by real experiences from her life on the road. The new book introduces several characters, including Luna, a dog who uses a wheelchair and participates in wheelchair races.
Music has always been an important part of McGraff’s life, and now she’s bringing that same creativity into her books.
She and her husband, Tommy Parham, have created a companion album called “With a Friend“, featuring songs that connect with chapters in “In Your Dreams, Jake“. The couple also brings the stories to life through author events they call “Songs and Tales,” combining live music with readings.
McGraff says the book is aimed at children between eight and 12 years old, with an important message about discovering who they are.
Writing the second book also became a deeply personal experience for McGraff. Her mother passed away in 2023, while McGraff was working on the story. That loss inspired her to explore grief through a new character named Duke, a search-and-rescue dog who meets Jake and is struggling with losing someone important.
Over the years, rescue dogs have been a constant part of her life, including Bogie, who accompanied her when she moved to Nashville, and Jake, who eventually inspired her children’s books.
Now, through Jake’s adventures, the Norfolk County musician hopes to share that love of animals while encouraging young readers to embrace their differences, support their friends and find their own unique voice.
Written by Jeremy Hall