Q & A Tiffany Boots

Interiew with Tif E. Boots

Q: Your book has been described as both joyful and meaningful. What inspired you to create Brutus’s story around something as simple and yet powerful as a school relay race?

I figured most of my readers and their parents would be able to relate to a relay race, and potential problems that may arise when choosing teams.

Q: Brutus quickly wins readers’ hearts with his determination and kindness. Was he inspired by a real-life pet, friend, or experience?

Brutus was not based off any one pet or person. He started off as just a puppy and has grown and developed into an honest, slightly awkward, kind and generous friend.

The characters and their names in Brutus & Friends are so memorable and playful. How did you come up with them, are they connected to real-life people or pets, or were they simply fun creations from your imagination? None of my characters are named after anyone specific. Many of them just seem to fit that character, or my youngest daughter decided on a name.

The theme of teamwork runs throughout the book. Why was it important for you to show children that success is about more than winning, it’s about supporting one another?

As a world and a society, we focus on winning and getting ahead in life, while ignoring or pushing past others that are struggling. We need more support and teamwork in this world.

Reviewers highlighted how inclusive your story feels. How did you approach writing about friendship and inclusion in a way that resonates with children of all abilities?

By having animals of all ages and different species, children can identify with the animal that resonates with them the most! Children are normally very accepting and inviting to begin with!

The illustrations are colorful and fun. Can you share a little about the creative process of bringing Brutus and his friends to life visually?

Unfortunately, I cannot give a lot of insight when it comes to the illustrations. My daughter is my illustrator, and I have given her full reign with very minor input from me. She works better that way.

Many readers say your story is just as enjoyable for adults as it is for kids. Was it your intention to write a book that sparks conversations across generations between parents, teachers, and children? I set out to create lovable characters and situations that children and adults could relate to. With childhood situations and problems that would provoke children to think things through, and solve problems.

The book is praised as a tool for sparking discussions about perseverance and empathy. What advice would you give to parents or educators who want to use this story in teaching those values? Have the child describe what they think a specific character is feeling and how they would interact with that character.

Friendship is at the heart of this book. What do you hope children see in Brutus and his friends that they can carry into their own relationships?

Every person and friendship is different with different needs and abilities, but each friendship is priceless and special.

Every character has something valuable to bring to the team. If there’s one lesson you’d like children to walk away with after reading, what would it be?

Compassion, kindness, patience, understanding and strength of character are more important than material things or popularity.

Brutus & Friends is such a delightful series. Can readers look forward to even more adventures with Brutus and his friends? Yes. Brutus and friends have more adventures and many more friends to look forward to.

You began the Brutus & Friends series for your daughter. Was there a particular moment or memory that first sparked the idea? And now, how does she feel seeing the series grow and reach so many readers? I wanted to give her something special that no one else would have for her birthday. Brutus became his own person after that. Both of my daughters are thrilled watching the series and characters grow. They both are part of every book, my oldest does all the illustrations and my youngest has been my Jr Editor since my books began being published.

What’s next for you as an author, are there new projects or future books already in the works? We are currently working on the illustrations for book number 8 and are looking forward to releasing it in the next couple months. I am also in the process of writing number 9 and have a firm outline for book 10. I am also working on a full-length novel that will be a different genre.

Is there anything beyond what we’ve discussed that you’d like readers to know, perhaps a hidden theme or detail that only reveals itself across the whole series? When the adventures of Brutus and Friends come to an end, they may still make appearances in a new series with all new main characters.

Tif E. Boots wrote her first children's book as a birthday present for her daughter. Her Characters soon demanded another adventure and became the series Brutus and Friends. Many years later Tif has been awarded the 2024 POTY Book Longlist Award for Charlie’s Tangle.

The 2024 Literary Global Children’s Book Finalist Award for Scrump and Friends go for a Swim.

As well as the 2024 American Writing Awards Finalist and the 2025 Children’s Book International Finalist Award for Charlie and the Scavenger Hunt.

Brutus and the Relay Race was also chosen as a 2025 Children’s Book International Finalist and Winner of the 2025 Positive Impact Awards.

Tif was raised in Marana, Arizona and was working concession stands at county fairs in Arizona and Michigan with her family until she graduated from Marana high school in 2000. She became a mother and correctional officer in 2004. She then moved to Nevada Missouri with her family where she was blessed with her second daughter and fell into a career of nurse's assistant for Hospice.

 Tif and her family relocated to Mulberry Florida in 2017. In her free time Tif can usually be found on the water or at amusement parks spending time with family and friends and simply enjoying the life that God has blessed her with.