Pam Dixon of Gwynn’s Island has published her first children’s book, “A Surprise for Lucky Dog,” written in collaboration with illustrator and publisher Linda Whittington Hurst of Wild Pony Press in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Hurst’s husband, Donnie Hurst, is a Mathews native.

The large hardback book has colorful full-page illustrations on all of its 24 pages. It is easy to read and suitable for ages 3-7, said Dixon. It tells the story of a soulful-eyed Labrador retriever named Lucky Dog who was rescued from a shelter by a waterman. The waterman wants to take Lucky Dog on his boat, but the dog becomes fearful of water after he falls in, and he refuses to go again. The waterman comes up with a solution that gives Lucky Dog the confidence to try once more.

Dixon has been writing for many years, from skits and plays for children and adults at her church to children’s books that she set aside and never did anything with. But her Lucky Dog book was differ...