Picture Book Review: Little Brown by Marla Frazee

Tweet

Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

Little Brown spends his time at the dog park cranky. Is he cranky because no one ever plays with him or does no one play with him because he is cranky? Little Brown doesn't really know he keeps getting crankier and decides to action. He nabs the ball and grabs the tassel toy. He even takes a blanket and stick. In fact, he amasses quite a collection of things from the other dogs. 

While he looks at his collection, Little Brown wonders if the other dogs will like him or play with him if he returns the belongings. His dilemma presents a great lesson in how to start conversation with others in the struggle to belong. Unfortunately, the story ends with no resolution leaving some disappointment but also room for open ended discussion.

Rating ★★★☆☆

Publishing Information

Publisher: Beach Lane Books/Simon & Schuster (Oct. 2, 2018)

ISBN: 9781481425223

Ages: 4-8

A Shiloh Christmas by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor BOOK REVIEW

Tweet

Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

Marty can't imagine his life without his beloved beagle, Shiloh. Rescuing Shiloh from the cruelty he endured while living with Judd Travers was the best thing he ever did. Now it's just a matter of time before he gets the debt to the veterinarian he incurred to rescue his dog paid off. In the meantime,  Judd works to improve his reputation.

While Marty watches Judd struggle to become a better person, he meets Rachel, the new girl at school and the preacher's daughter. As he slowly gets to know her and her family, he can't help but wonder why she seems fearful of her father. When someone sets fire to the woods, Marty can't help but notice the stark difference between those who blame Judd in parallel to the fire and brimstone teachings of the preacher and the those who band together to help each other. Will the search for Judd's dogs and the rebuilding of lost homes unite the family and community?

While A Shiloh Christmas is less about the dog and more about the love of family and a person's ability to change, the bond that Marty shares with his dog keeps him grounded when he can't control what goes on around him. Though the story delves into the serious subject of abuse, themes of love, acceptance and the willingness to change will tug at the heartstrings of the mature middle grade reader.

Rating ★★★★★

                                     This book can be purchased at the following retailer:

Picture Book Review: Stay! A Top Dog Story by Alex Latimer

Tweet

Book received at no charge in exchange for an honest review.

Ben loves his dog, Buster and thinks he's the best dog in the entire world. His parents think otherwise. Buster has a knack for leaving messes wherever he goes and gets too excited about things that move like squirrels and especially the postman.

Sadly, Ben must leave Buster behind with Grampa when he goes away on vacation. But how will he know how to take care of him? Ben makes sure he leaves lists, diagrams and pictures for him but it's not enough. He frets that he has forgotten something and writes letters and postcards. The only problem is that he still forgets to tell Grampa not to take Buster to the post office and when Grampa makes the mistake of dragging him along, Buster wrecks havoc. Grampa sets out to change Buster's bad behavior but will it work?

Dog lovers will love the playful antics of the slightly naughty, Buster, and will love the humor in the quirky notes Ben leaves behind. A fun and visually stimulating look at what dog ownership is all about.

Rating ★★★★☆

Publishing Information

Publisher: Peachtree Publishers (Sept. 2015)

Written and Illustrated by Alex Latimer

ISBN: 978-1-56145-884-4

Ages: 4-8

This book can be purchased from the following retailers:

Book Review and Giveaway: Darling, Mercy Dog of World War I by Alison Hart

Tweet

Review book received at no charge by publisher

Darling likes her comfortable home in England as a much loved family pet. When the British military drafts her into the war, Darling devises a sneaky plan to run away to return the children she loves. That is until she saves a wounded soldier and discovers her calling as a mercy dog.

Upon completion of her military training, Darling saves the lives of countless soldiers and witnesses the horrors of war. She must learn to dodge bullets, dig in the trenches to find the wounded, and hardest of all, ignore the dead.

The descriptions of battle introduce the young reader to the tragedies of war without being too gory. The focus on the narrative from a dog's point of view further the real point of courage and bravery as well as love and devotion. Anyone who has ever had a loyal dog as a best friend will have no trouble connecting to Darling and admiring her acts of heroism. A quick afterward on the history of dogs in World War I help the young reader further appreciate the loyalty of man's best friend.

Rating: Recommended ****

Publishing Information:

Peachtree Publishers (Oct. 2013)

ISBN: 978-1-56145-705-2

Ages: 7-10

This book can be purchase from the following retailers:

Giveaway Details:

Use the Rafflecopter form to enter. By entering, you acknowledge you have read the terms on the form and agree to them. Contest ends 11/30/2013 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Prize fulfillment is by 

the publisher. Blog owner is not responsible for prize fulfillment. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway