Three Pockets Full by Cindy L. Rodriguez (Illustrated by Begoña Fernández Corbalán) is a wonderful children’s book about love, family, and tradition. Beto does not want to wear a guayabera to his mother’s wedding. He even enlists his dog, Lupe, to try and avoid wearing the traditional Mexican wedding shirt but it always ends up back on his bed.

The guayabera is worn in formal contexts such as weddings like in Three Pockets Full. It is why it is also called a Mexican traditional wedding shirt. It is popular in many countries in Latin America like Mexico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. Two to four pockets are a signature design element of the guayabera and help Beto carry some items that are quite important during the wedding.

Many people have their own pets and we asked some of the authors who work with us and our team members, “if your pet wore a guayabera (a traditional wedding shirt like the one in our book, Three Pocket’s Full, what would be in three of the pockets and why?”

Cindy Williams Schrauben, author of This Could Be You, told us about her dog, Mimsy. Mimsy would sneak some peanut butter into one pocket, as it’s her favorite treat even though her momma doesn’t let her have it! Even though her momma doesn’t let her have peanut butter, Mimsy still loves her momma so she would put one of her momma’s t-shirts in another pocket. Like many other siblings, Mimsy loves to tease her brother. To annoy him she would hide her brother’s chew toy in the last pocket in a game of keep away.

Chuey, a dog who thinks he’s a cat, has his pockets full just like his human. Hannah (another CRP author, who wrote Dazzling Travis) has her hands full with him! Hannah fondly said that Chuey would manage to fit an entire ladder into one pocket, so that he could climb onto the dinner table and eat everything instead of waiting for crumbs! After clearing the dinner table of all the food, Chuey would take a blanket out of another pocket to curl up and sleep on as well as a baby monitor, so that he can watch the family. He’s a big family lover and cuddly bunny. If left at home he becomes very sad.

We can’t leave out cats as they are also precious members of families! Liza May, Cardinal Rule Press’ operations manager, told us about her cat, Ivory. She said, “A paper bag would definitely be in Ivory’s guayabera as she loves to sneak in them and sleep.” People-watching is another of Ivory’s favorite past times which is why she would keep a window in one of the other pockets. A window is a great place to nap while watching people. And because she loves her human and wants all of Liza May’s attention, the laptop would be in the last pocket for nap time.

An intern of Cardinal Rule Press, Christie, also has a feline companion named Juniper. Just like Ivory, Juniper would stuff one pocket with a flannel blanket for nap time. Juniper is an active one so she’d put paper to shred in another pocket and autumn leaves to chase in the last pocket!

Dogs also love nap time as Michelle Schaub, CRP author of Kindness is a Kite String, tells us that napping is her dog, Bear’s, favorite activity. Bear must have an extra pillow for sleeping which is why the guayabera would be perfect for him to wear. Lots of pockets for him to put all the necessities for nap time! To get nice and comfy for some sleep, the other two pockets would contain his favorite treat, blueberries, and his favorite squeaky toy, Puffy the Puffer fish. With a guayabera, Bear would have all these on hand which means nap time all the time!

Claire Annette Noland is a children’s author (check out Evie’s Field Day) and also manager of her BFF’s Instagram Page. Ernie, her doodle dog and BFF, is quite the social media influencer. This doodle would never be caught without a phone in one pocket of his guayabera as he always needs to be ready for selfies and Insta posts! Follow him @mrernierecommends to keep up with him. For his photo shoots, he always has to have a scarf. Luckily for Ernie, he has two more pockets and one is perfect for his scarf! As a best friend of an author and a social media influence, Ernie needs his energy which is why the third pocket would be bulging full of doggie sausage treats! Claire tells us that Ernie will be getting his own guayabera in honor of Three Pockets Full!

Sovann Hyde is an intern at Cardinal Rule Press and studying at Michigan State University. She enjoys writing and reading in her free time as well as gaming with friends. Jetta, Gryffin, and Bella, her family’s dogs and cat, keep her energetic and curious.