Karen Duncan, wife of Duncan Aviation Chairman Emeritus Robert Duncan, recently published a children’s book about the family’s beloved dog, Chica.
Chica joined the Duncan family 13 years ago when she laid down by Karen’s feet near a curb close to the El Tajin pyramids in Mexico. Karen took an instant liking to the dirty gray dog, although she was mangy and hungry. Karen fed her, gave her a bath, took her to a veterinarian, and eventually brought her back to the family’s home in the United States.
“I don’t know where Chica came from before we met,” Karen says. “But in the book, I created a background for her that includes performing in a circus. Once she joined us, we traveled from El Tajin to Puerto Vallarta together, developing a strong bond and eating lots of scrambled eggs and beans on the way.”
Omaha, Nebraska, artist Joseph Broghammer illustrated the book with pastel on paper.“I chose Joseph to illustrate the story in part because he has great love for animals that comes through in all of his paintings and drawings,” Karen says. “His artwork is beautiful and I am pleased with the finished product.”
Chica is written in Spanish and English and brings attention to Mexican cultural events and places. A glossary at the back gives children a better understanding of those cultural references.
The book was published through the Clarinda Carnegie Art Museum (CCAM), which is a nonprofit organization founded by the Duncans. Half of the book’s $20 purchase price goes to the museum. The book is available through the museum and signed copies will also be sold at Duncan Aviation locations that provide FBO services. For each $20 book purchased at its Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, Michigan; Lincoln, Nebraska; or Provo, Utah; locations, Duncan Aviation will donate an additional $10 to the International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) Business Aviation Scholarship.