Dear Moxie, Dear Rex,from Reycraft Books, Explores a Family Rivalry that Has Gone to the Dogs
The picture book presents written letters between two dogs that are having a hard time adjusting to life together under one roof.
NEW ROCHELLE, NY, Sep. 10, 2025— Leading children’s trade publisher Reycraft Books is pleased to announce the forthcoming publication of Dear Moxie, Dear Rex, written by Cathy Petter and illustrated by Bryony Clarkson, with a release date of September 16, 2025. The charming, humorous, fictional picture book marks Petter’s debut as an author and introduces young readers to the Bensusan family, which includes an older little dog named Moxie and the latest addition to the household, a large young canine named Rex. Written in an epistolary style, the book is made up of a series of letters the two dogs write to each other as they are forced to live together, always seemingly polite but also revealing the growing rivalry between them and their escalating efforts to undermine each other.
No longer the only dog in the family, Moxie in particular does not adjust well to the new living situation—and launches a stealth campaign to get rid of Rex once and for all. But in a twist ending, the two furry frenemies find themselves having more in common than they had originally thought.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
There is nothing Cathy Petter loves more than getting a letter in the mail (okay, maybe chocolate). And believe it or not, there was a time when she lived with so many dogs she didn’t keep count (but it was only more than 20 a few times). Moxie has a lot in common with Nike, her dog that was notorious for eating everything, including boxes of crayons. She lives in New York City, where she writes stories for kids of all ages and schemes to find cheap theater tickets.
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR:
Bryony Clarkson is a British illustrator who lives in the rural English Cotswolds. She combines mixed media processes with paper collage to create her distinctive style of illustration that has a sense of spontaneity and energy. From her studio window, she has a view of her garden and fields beyond. Company in Bryony's studio is in the form of her two loyal canine companions, who can often be found lounging on the rug under her feet while she draws.
“I think most kids can relate to being Moxie or being Rex or being both of them,” Petter said. “It's hard to make room and start sharing with somebody new. On the other hand, there's nothing worse than being the new kid and having the older, wiser kid ignore you.”
The author explained that she was inspired to write Dear Moxie, Dear Rex by personal experience. “I used to live with my family and way too many dogs,” she said. “We bred and showed collies—think Westminster Dog Show. I loved telling my kids what I thought the dogs were saying to each other. It always made them laugh. One morning I asked myself the question: What if the dogs were writing letters to each other? What would they write about?”
Life with the dogs gave Petter insights on the animals that would help her write the book. “I learned that every dog has its own personality,” she said. “We had one who used to climb up a ladder to go down the slide. A different one ate everything in sight—including a box of crayons! Dogs are incredibly social. They love to play. They love games. They make friends, have enemies, are leaders or followers. Moxie and Rex push each other over the things that dogs actually care about: Who gets the most treats, who gets the soft cushion, how to break out of jail—meaning the fence in the yard.”
Petter said she hopes Dear Moxie, Dear Rex will inspire kids to write and send letters to their friends. “I loved getting letters when I was a kid, they were so much fun,” she said. “And believe it or not, e-mails are letters.”
The author also expressed enthusiasm for the illustrations by Bryony Clarkson. “[They] are absolute genius!” she said. “[Bryony] really understood the dynamic between these two frenemies. I love that Rex is a big galumpf of a dog and that Moxie is a tiny dictator, with her little red bow. Bryony saw the humor in the text and really made the most of it.”
Petter added that she was especially pleased to make her debut as an author with a book that leans heavily on humor. “I love funny books like Officer Buckle and Gloria or Bark, George,” she said. “I love that my first book in the world is a funny book!”
ABOUT REYCRAFT BOOKS: partners with award-winning and up-and-coming authors and illustrators, primarily from underrepresented communities, to provide high-quality books that delight, inform, and honor the voice and vision of all children. Founded in 2019, the imprint publishes authentic stories—engaging picture books, transitional chapter books, middle grade books, graphic novels, and more—that build knowledge, perspective, and connection, meeting the diverse needs of children, families, and educators.