Moxie, The Dachshund of Fallingwater

October 7th, 2009

Moxie, The Daschshund of Fallingwater was written by Cara Armstrong, Curator of Education at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater. The children’s book is a lovely combination of superb watercolor illustrations, architectural facts and the anecdotes of a very special dog. Moxie was a long-haired, pearl-wearing dachshund who once lived at Fallingwater, along with her brother and sisters (all long-haired dachshunds with first names beginning in M!). Moxie spent her days navigating Fallingwater’s open spaces, outdoor terraces and enjoying bacon and eggs in the morning.

Through Moxie’s narratives, we learn the history of why Frank Lloyd Wright built Fallingwater, how he designed the furniture, and some Architecture 101. Of course, Wright must have had Moxie in mind when designing the living room furniture:
“Look at the house and you can see the long straight backs of all the M’s in the horizontal lines of the house, –in the long, low tables, in the shelves, in the bands of glass that make the windows, everywhere!”

Moxie gives wonderful insight into how the Kaufmann family used the vacation home and enjoyed the surrounding beauty of the Laurel Highlands. The Kaufmanns came to Fallingwater on the weekends and were greeted by their furry family upon arrival, as Moxie explains:
“On Friday afternoon, I like standing at the bottom of the stairs to wait for the K’s to arrive. I gather the 7 M’s and as soon as Mrs. K arrives at the door, I bark, ‘Cascade! Cascade!’ We all flow down the 21 stairs and around the corner to greet them. I am the last to arrive, and the loudest. My loud bark and my pearls let her know it’s me, Moxie.”

This book is a perfect gift for your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews or yourself! It is not only educational, but witty and incredibly entertaining. Pick up a copy at the Fallingwater store.

Meet Cara Armstrong, author and illustrator of Moxie, The Duchshund of Fallingwater at an author signing at Second Chapter Books during Fort Ligonier Days on Saturday October 10 from 10 – 2pm and Sunday 12 – 2pm. Armstrong will also be doing an author signing onsite at Fallingwater from 11am– 2pm on Saturday, October 17.

Can’t get enough of the beautiful illustrations from Moxie, The Dachshund of Fallingwater? Twenty-eight illustrations of Moxie will be on display at Crystal Bridges in Bentonville, AR, as part of Inspired by Place: The Illustrations of Cara Armstrong and Ard Hoyt. Click here to learn more.

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