‘I’ll be damned if that’s the only book’: A Gonzaga dad couldn’t find a children’s book about his university, so he made one

When Jabez LeBret’s young son brought home a children’s book about Notre Dame, the Gonzaga alum had one immediate reaction.

“I said, well, I’ll be damned if that’s the only university children’s book he’s going to get because I went to Gonzaga,” LeBret told KIRO Newsradio.

So he went looking for a Gonzaga book.

He couldn’t find one.

That eventually led to “Spike’s Zagtastic Day,” a children’s book that follows Gonzaga mascot Spike the Bulldog around campus as he searches for his missing favorite book.

A page from “Spike’s Zagtastic Day.” (Photo courtesy of Bright Dog Studio)

LeBret said the idea started when his son was about 4 years old. After learning Gonzaga had not published a children’s book in years, he called his best friend, Dan Gemeinhart.

“I’ve known Dan since third grade,” LeBret said. “We actually were roommates at Gonzaga University. We have been best friends our entire lives.”

Gemeinhart also happens to be a No. 1 New York Times bestselling children’s author, known for books including The Midnight Children and The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise.

The two worked with Gonzaga to bring the idea to life.

The book takes Spike past familiar spots on campus, including St. Aloysius Church, DeSmet Hall, the library, and the McCarthey Athletic Center. But LeBret said the best part has been watching families connect those places to their own Gonzaga memories.

He remembers seeing a young girl reading the book with her grandmother at an event on campus.

“She goes, ‘Grandma, grandma, this is where mommy and daddy got married,’” LeBret said.

That was the whole idea. Give parents, grandparents and longtime Zag fans something they can share with the next generation.

The project took about four years from idea to finished book.

LeBret’s son is now 8.

“He just thinks it’s the best thing ever,” LeBret said.

Jabez LeBret and his son Dan Gemeinhart hold up “Spike’s Zagtastic Day.” (Photo courtesy of Bright Dog Studio)

The book also gives back to Gonzaga, as 10% of the profits go to the Gonzaga Alumni Scholarship Fund.

Spike’s Zagtastic Day is available through Bright Dog Studios, Amazon, and the Gonzaga University Bookstore.

It all started with a dad looking for a book for his son.

Now other Gonzaga families have one too.

The end.