Madeline Finn and the Library Dog Book Review

Madeline Finn and the Library Dog by Lisa Papp tells the tale of one girl's journey to become a better reader.  Madeline hates to read.  Book, magazines, menus on ice cream trucks.  She wants no part of the reading scene.

Ms. Finn has a secret.  She has trouble reading.  Words become a jumbled mess on the page.  Her mouth traps sentences like flies in a frog's tongue.  She stutters and stumbles doing her very best.  Still, her classmates laugh at her.

All Madeline wants is the coveted gold star from her teacher.  But the Keep Trying hearts are piling up fast.  One Saturday, her mom takes her to the worst place ever:  the library.  Mrs. Dimple, the librarian, has a trick up her sleeve that might just change the way Madeline reads forever.

I love this book!  The story is full of compassion and heart.  While I never struggled with reading, one of the elementary students I mentored while in high school did.  He tried so hard to get the words right, but his lisp and speech impediment made it difficult.  I wish Bonnie could have visited him.

Being the owner of a certified therapy dog, this story definitely has a special place in my heart.  While we have not yet tried the reading program, I know how much children love dogs and open up to them with free hearts and minds.  My dog and I visited a kids' club that had an Autistic little boy.  The club workers were shocked when he ran over to my dog and not only touched her but spoke to me.  They then informed me that that was the first time they had ever heard the boy speak.

The story shows just how amazing dogs truly are.  They make no judgments and place no blame.  Dogs only love unconditionally and hope to have their affections returned.  They are the perfect companion and reading buddy.

Papp's illustrations are gorgeous.  They remind me of the original artwork from the A.A. Milne Winnie-the-Pooh books.  I especially love the colorful cast of canine characters.  I also like how the illustration styles are different on every page.  Some are single page spreads, others are doubles, some feature vignettes, and more.  This really captured my attention and made me pause to enjoy each one.

This is a fabulous story for (especially struggling) readers ages  4-8.  I could definitely see this book also being used in therapy dog programs throughout the country.

Old Hat Book Review

Old Hat by Emily Gravett follows one pioneering pooch as he seeks to find the ultimate hat.  Harbet loves wearing the hat that his Nana knitted for him.  It's cozy, colorful, and keeps his ears warm.  But the fact is, it's an old hat.

Harbet noticed a group of trend-setting animals wearing fruit hats.  He quickly donned the new topper, but soon discovered that hat was now old too!  Trying to stay ahead in the world of fashion is hard work!

He bought Top Hat Magazine to research the trends.  He camped outside of the hat shop so he could have first pick of the caps.  His hat selections were still seen as old and out-dated.  Will Harbet ever find a way out of the hat havoc? 

I absolutely adore this book!  Gravett's story is full of humor and heart.  Young and old alike will relate to Harbet's struggle of keeping up appearances in a fashion-frenzied world.

Gravett's illustrations are gorgeous.  The characters she has created are truly memorable.  Harbet couldn't be any more adorable.  He actually reminds me of my Chiweenie, Penny, who has a severe overbite.

I love how much detail is contained on every page.  From the tiniest trim on a hat, to the actual articles in the Top Hat Magazine, Gravett shows a mastery of the drawing craft.

This is a wonderful book for readers of all ages.  The ending really packs a positive punch and serves as a great reminder to adults as well.

The Christmas Kitten Book Review

The Christmas Kitten by Jessica Spawn follows the adventures of one homeless kitten on Christmas Eve.  Kitten is on the prowl searching for food on a cold winter's night.  He keeps dreaming of a family of his own and a warm place to call home.

Suddenly, a large bird finds Kitten and knows what his Christmas feast will be.  Kitten can't believe his eyes when three of Santa's reindeer fly in and save the day.  The reindeer can't help but notice that instead of being happy, Kitten is sad.

He explains that he has no home and is tired of being alone.  Prancer knows exactly what to do.  Fashioning a pair of antlers from two nearby sticks, he makes Kitten a part of their team.

Will Santa be fooled by this furry farce?  Can Kitten learn the ways of the reindeer before Santa's magical flight?

I absolutely love this book!  The story definitely tugged at my heartstrings and made me tear up.  Being the owner of three rescue cats, I know what a horrible life they had before they were rescued from the streets.  Cat over population is a nationwide issue that is beautifully summed up in the book.

I also love that the story rhymes.  For some reason, Christmas stories that rhyme seem more magical to me.  Children will be drawn to the musicality of the text in addition to the magic and mystery.

Benjamin Vincent's illustrations are adorable and stunning.  I fell in love with Kitten the moment I saw the cover of the book.  His over-sized eyes really pull the reader in creating even more empathy for him.  The comic book style quality of the illustrations will definitely keep children engaged and excited about turning the page.

This is a fabulous story for animal lovers of all ages.  I think this book could also be used as part of the humane education curriculum in animal shelters and rescue groups across the country. 

MVP: Most Valuable Puppy Book Review

MVP:  Most Valuable Puppy by Mike and Stacy Greenberg, tells the tale of one special dog.  Phoebe is a white pup with one very unique feature.  She has a pink tail!

She recalls the day that she met her best friend in the shelter:  The Girl with the Curly Hair.  Phoebe can't believe that she not only has a loving forever home, but a big sister and baby brother to play with.  Her favorite thing to do is wait for her sister to come home from school.  They always play a game of fetch and share a snack.

One day, Phoebe and her family go to the playground.  She is so excited to play with her sister.  A group of kids see the pair playing and ask if they would like to join them for a game of soccer.  They're having a great time...until the game switches to football.

Running with all her might, Phoebe's sister attempts to catch the ball and makes a huge fumble.  Can Phoebe help her find the courage to get back in the game?

I really enjoyed this story.  There are multiple themes that I think both children and adults will relate to.  I love that the story is told from Phoebe's perspective.  This definitely captured my attention and I found I was even more invested in the story than if it would have been narrated by the little girl or her parents.

I also love that this book sheds light on the importance of animal adoption.  Being a proud pet parent to five rescue dogs and three cats, this is definitely a cause that is close to my heart.  The idea of finding your best friend in a local animal shelter or from a rescue group is truly inspiring.

A more hidden aspect that I love about the book is that Mike and Stacy Greenberg are donating 100% of the profits from the sale of this book to their Heidi's Angels program.  The program helps to fight pediatric cancer through its support of the V Foundation for Cancer Research.  This is also a cause that is near and dear to my heart as I lost both of my grandmothers to cancer and have a friend whose daughter is battling a cancerous brain tumor.

This is a wonderful read for animal lovers of all ages.  Young and old alike will fall in love with Phoebe and cheer her on in her mission to be the Most Valuable Puppy.

I Love Cats! Book Review

I Love Cats! by Sue Stainton introduces the reader to a young girl who really loves cats.  She walks around town happily describing all of the different kinds of cats that she loves.  Some of the cats seem strange, but she doesn't mind a bit.

Hilarity ensues as the reader is taken on a journey through the girl's city meeting a menagerie of cats.  From dancing and cooking, to reading and juggling, these cats know where it's at.  The girl becomes sad when she has to leave her new friends behind and head home.  She soon discovers that her parents can be just a sneaky as an alley cat.

I really enjoyed this story.  Being a fellow cat lover, I quickly identified with the little girl and her desire to take all of the cats home.  Stainton's characters are full of happiness and heart that will make even the youngest of readers smile.

Bob Staake's illustrations are amazing.  His characters are larger than life and really pop on every page.  I also love his use of a bright and bold color palette.  Children will be captivated by the creative cats appearing throughout the story.  I also appreciate the nod to one of America's most beloved Beagles.  

I love that the story also sheds light on the adoption option.  Being the proud pet parent of three rescue cats, I love sharing their adoption stories whenever I met new fellow animal lovers.  This is also a great way to let other interested adopters know about local rescue groups and animal shelters in their area.   I could also see this book being used as part of the humane education curriculum in animal shelters throughout the country.

This is a wonderful read for children ages 4-8.  The book would also make a great gift for the cat lover in your life. 

Sterling, Best Dog Ever Book Review

Sterling, Best Dog Ever by Aidan Cassie follows the adventures of one very confused Dachshund.  Sterling hasn't had very good luck in finding a forever home.  His owners seem to always lose interest, sending him back to the streets.

One night, Sterling notices a sign at the Butlery Cutlery Company.  Their utensils are being shipped to "all the best homes."  He decides to hide in one of the boxes where he waits to be delivered to his perfect home. 

The Gilberts are surprised to see the pup inside their box of forks.  Yet, Sterling has a plan.  He won't just be any fork; he's going to be the best fork ever!  But when his plan starts to unravel, will he find the courage to be what the family really needs?

I absolutely adore this book!  This is definitely one of my favorite picture books of all time.  Sterling's character is beyond adorable.  He reminds me of my own dachshund, Hope.  Young and old alike will relate to his struggle of feeling like he needs to be something other than himself.

This story is full of emotion and heart.  I loved watching Sterling's silly antics, yet my heart broke when he kept trying to be what he thought everyone wanted.  I definitely shed tears at the end.

The character of the little girl reminds me of myself.  I noticed that her bedroom wall is covered in dog posters and drawings.  She also has numerous stuffed dogs tucked away under her night stand.  I can totally relate to her passion for pooches (especially dachshunds). 

I also love that this story sheds light on the importance of animal adoption.  As the proud pet parent to five rescue dogs, I know that many of them have a story similar to Sterling's.  They were loved for a time, yet dumped when the owners became "bored" with them.  This book would be a great addition to the humane education curriculum at animal shelters and rescue groups across the country.

Cassie's illustrations are truly stunning.  Sterling's expressions are priceless.  I was in love with his character the moment I saw the book cover.  I also love the spotlight illustrations at the beginning of the book that show Sterling trying to imitate numerous items.  My favorite was the curling iron (my husband favored the jackhammer).

This book is a fantastic read for animal lovers of all ages.  Readers will cheer Sterling on in his quest to find his true purpose.  I hope to see more books featuring the best dog ever. 

Paws of Triumph Blog is Live!

I'm very excited to announce that I have created a new blog called Paws of Triumph.  The purpose of the blog is to provide valuable content and resources for animal lovers of all ages with a focus on pet parents of differently-abled fur babies.

Having adopted six differently-abled animals, I know how challenging issues such as blindness and deafness can be.  But I also know how precious the love of a special animal is.  These creatures are truly amazing and have such a zest for life.

The blog will feature personal stories, product reviews, guest posts, and so much more.  Visit Paws of Triumph now by clicking on the link:  https://www.pawsoftriumph.com/

Be sure to check out our Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest pages!

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pawsoftriumph/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/pawsoftriumph/

Pintrest:  https://www.pinterest.com/pawsoftriumph/

Triumphantly Yours,

Lauren