Jim Potter, retired deputy sheriff, is enjoying the change of pace which allows him more time for writing (that is, when he and his wife, Alex, aren’t line dancing in Hutchinson, KS).
He has just published his first children’s book, K-9 Kudzu: Observations of a Working Dog Who Loves to Play that introduces the world of law enforcement to young readers, ages 10-12. This educational book is accurate and true so it may be considered non-fiction. However, K-9 Kudzu, a German shepherd dog, is the narrator of the book. Since dogs don’t speak or write English, does that mean the book should be classified as fiction?
K-9 Kudzu’s police partner is Deputy Tom Jennings, the later a recurring character in Potter’s literary work.
The color illustrations in K-9 Kudzu are outstanding. They encourage the reader to have fun while learning. The questions at the end of each chapter are thoughtful and will encourage discussion.
When the author’s not at a book signing or giving an author talk at a school, he may be working on a sequel to K-9 Kudzu. It will follow the children of Tom and Jesse Jennings as they participate in dog training at the local kennel club.
A year ago, Jim published Deputy Jennings Meets the Amish, a novella. Jennings is a caring cop, a patrol officer for the Cottonwood County Sheriff’s Office. He doesn’t understand the Old Order Amish and they don’t understand him.
After being assigned to investigate the theft of soil from a county ditch, Jennings meets Mrs. Rosanna Borntrager Yoder. Rosanna and Adam (her husband) help Jennings begin to learn how the Amish and the English are different, and alike.
The four core values that are embedded in the story include: faith, family, community, and simplicity.
Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery is a contemporary, character-driven novel about people who are stigmatized. However, once they discover their true identities, each is empowered to begin the journey of life’s purpose.
The multi-layered stories explore the themes of stigma, identity, and self-discovery. The novel is an escape into reality.
Potter’s first book, Cop in the Classroom: Lessons I’ve Learned, Tales I’ve Told, is a police memoir. It has an abundance of police stories from his professional career as a deputy sheriff and school resource officer. The thirty-three chapters give an insider’s look at the emotional experiences behind the badge—and life lessons for us all.
Under the Radar: Race at School, Potter’s first play, has been used at appreciating diversity workshops and for classroom studies due to its thought-provoking points of view on race and culture.
