Written by Leia Barrett

Illustrated by Shannon McKeon

This very short picture book of twenty pages is ideal for young children and reluctant readers.

It relates the tale of a rescue dog who finds herself in an animal shelter. Before her life in a shelter, she learns to survive on her own. Her other animal friends teach her their habits and lifestyle.

One day, the dog is adopted. Her new mom and dad find the dog’s strange habits unnerving, but, in the end, decide to accept her exactly the way her lifestyle has shaped her.

The author teaches young readers lessons of acceptance, love, and the value of being true to oneself.

Recommended for preschoolers and early elementary school-age readers.

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.

Report

Hendrix and Rocket: Being Brave: A heartwarming story for ages 3-8 of one little Weimaraner’s journey to find their courage

Written by Kristen Haynes

Illustrated by Anna Thompson

A cute picture book that helps children understand how to control their anger by using a dog named Rocket.

When Rocket learns his morning routine of visiting the beach will not happen because mom had something else to do, he immediately gets angry. This results in the destruction of his family’s property even though his older dog brother warns him against such behavior.

What lessons does he learn to control his anger in the future?

The author cleverly presents the lesson using adorable pups.

Recommended for ages three and older.

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.

Guinness the Good Girl Goes to School (G3 BOOK SERIES)

Written by Matthew Gillmann

Illustrated by Penny Weber

When Dottie brings her rambunctios dalmation, Guinness to school, all chaos breaks loose. It seems that Guinness cannot contain her friendliness, curiosity, or eagerness to participate.

Readers learn and follow her adventures in the multicultural classroom and community. Nice illustrations and story. One suggestion, the print size might be a bit larger for younger readers.

Reccommended for ages three through eight.

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.

A Little Labradoodle Christmas: A Rhyming Picture Book About the Power of Family, Love, and Kindness (The Little Labradoodle 4)

Written by April M. Cox and Kairi Fullerton

Illustrated by Remesh Ram

A cute, Christmas, rhyming picture book for preschoolers and primary grade children with an important message.

Kairi and her pet labradoodles encounter Casper, a grumpy cat on their walk. They decide to spread the spirit of Christmas. They invite the cat to their home to participate in traditions like baking cookies and trimming the tree, but nothing seems to work. Eventually, they find the real reason for the cat’s disdain about Christmas. Will they be able to spread love, empathy and family traditions that will change the tide?

A nice read aloud for the holidays.

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.

Cassie Pup Takes the Cake?? Cassie Pup Books

Written by Sheri Poe-Pape

Illustrated by Dasguptarts

A wonderful early chapter book that contains beautiful colorful and expressive illustrations. This book centers about a baking competition.

Cassie, a pup, and Cordelia, a cat both work as apprentices at Bindi’s Bakery. Bindi provides them both with aprons and chef’s hats. As they begin baking, Cassie and Cordelia allow their competitive spirit to create a disaster in the kitchen.

The adorable cat and pup need to learn that teamwork and friendship would be better choices in achieving their goals. Elementary school readers will enjoy reading the lovely, multicultural book with its crisp, colorful language and amusing illustrations.

Highly recommended for ages three through eight.

Evie and the Volunteers: Book 1: Animal Shelter

Written by Marcy Blesy

First book in a series for beginning and middle school students. Evie’s mom has a new job, and Evie is sent away from home for the summer. It doesn’t take long for Evie and her newfound friends to get into trouble. As punishment, her mother enrolls Evie as a volunteer in a local animal shelter where she meets an abused dog.

Evie learns the value of hard work and giving back to the community. As a backstory, young readers are introduced to the concept of PTSD and the difficulties military families must face. These are explained in an age-appropriate way.

I would recommend the book to readers in the seven to twelve age range. It would make an excellent choice as a classroom discussion read aloud book.

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.

Chester and the Magic 8 Ball

Written by Lynn Katz

The author tackles several difficult issues that middle-grade students might find insurmountable.

Georgia is a sixth grade student who desperately wants a dog. She cannot convince her parents to agree, and they argue incessantly.

One day, Georgia succeeds in convincing her mother to take her to the humane society “just to look.” Enter Chester, an adorable toothless mixed breed who turns out to be “pyschic.” Georgia’s world is rocked when her dad finds the dog at home and walks out on the family. Is it Georgia’s fault?

Georgia faces the usual middle graders difficulty handling jealousy and peer relationships. Up to this time, she has relied on her Magic 8 ball to give her the answers, but now her world has been turned upside down. That is, until she discovers her dog might be able to help.

The characters are believable and genuine. They are placed in situations that seem impossible to solve, but this author navigates them and explains them in a way relatable to its target eight to twelve age audience.

I would highly recommend it to parents, teachers, and counselors who work with this age group as a tool to discuss divorce, illness, and mental health issues.

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.

Luna is Missing: A Children’s book about the friendships & adventures of a girl, her dog and her cat

Written and illustrated by Tanya Preminger

I enjoyed reading this simple picture book about a little girl who lives with her dog and cat pets named Max and Luna.

As children read the pages, they learn about the responsibilities in taking care of pets. The pet owner teaches her pets manners, responsibility, safety, and having empathy for the needs of each other.

The simple illustrations fill in the gaps and help young children understand the plot better. When Luna goes missing, they can look for clues in the pictures to help find her.

Recommended for primary grade readers, especially animal lovers and would be pet owners.

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.

Dogs Counting Activity Book: Count to 20 with this Fun Activity Book about Dogs

Written by Frances MacKay

I have previously reviewed this author’s count to ten with dogs book and found it useful. This book can be viewed as a logical extension of that book.

Here, the child not only learns to count to twenty but is provided lots of other learning opportunities that involve comparing and contrasting, more advanced language concepts, dot to dots, mazes, identifying differences, coloring, and simple math equations. The book would be a good supplement to kindergarten learning concepts as a means to prepare or supplement classroom curriculum.

Recommended for ages three through seven.

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG FOR NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.

Dogs A Counting and Comparing Book: A Funny Counting to 10 Book about Dogs

Written by Frances MacKay

One of the best toddler and preschool teaching tools that I have come across lately. The author uses vibrant illustrations and interesting scenarios with dogs to teach children how to count up to ten and then count backwards.

She also introduces positional and size concepts as well as simple emotions like happy and sad. Interactive activities included are access to a ten-page coloring book and freebies that can be downloaded.

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG TO RECEIVE NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.