Penny Downtown

Penelope Clover Robinson, or Penny, lives in downtown Manhattan. Like most Manhattan pups, she is well socialized. She is also uniquely clever. In Penny Downtown Penny hears from her network of downtown dogs about a puppy with an uncanny resemblance. Penny learns that friends often show up in the most unexpected places, even (or especially), in crowded New York City.

In the first installment, Penny Downtown, Penny hears from her network of downtown New York City dogs about a puppy with an uncanny resemblance. An adventure through the iconic Washington and Union Squares ensues. Penny learns that friends often show up in the most unexpected places. We learn that anything is possible, even (or especially) in crowded New York City. The Penny children’s series is about a puppy Penelope Clover Robinson, or Penny, who lives in downtown Manhattan. Like most Manhattan pups, she is well socialized. She is also uniquely clever.

Inspiration for the Penny series came from Mary’s brief ownership of a Cavalier King Charles spaniel with the same namesake. Brief because she couldn’t bear the thought of Penny cooped up in an apartment while she was at work all day. She gave Penny to a Catskills family who was also caring for Penny’s brother. In the case of the Penny stories, Penny and her brother Harley reunite in New York City, instead of the Catskills, where they explore the various eclectic and magical downtown neighborhoods. Mary grew up in sunny South Carolina, just steps from the state capitol building. After studying history at Yale she ventured to New York City. Kicking a chance field goal landed her a job in finance where she has worked for over a decade. She eventually met her husband David at a roof-top party he was throwing at his apartment downtown, and the rest is history. They still live in downtown Manhattan with their son Thomas (baby sister on the way). Mary writes and illustrates the Penny series in spare evening and weekend moments.