I am excited to share today's book. Published by Deborah Hall and Donna Vaquer, both trainers of assistance dogs, not only is it a wonderful story, it's part of a lovely, child-friendly series about the many ways dogs help people. A related website, Dogs On Call, has pictures and information about all the dogs featured in the stories as well as many others. The books are all available from Bunny Bud Books - please visit! Deborah is very nice :)
Written By: Deborah J. Hall
Photographs By: "many generous contributors"
Published By: Bunny Bud Books, Non-Fiction
Suitable For Ages: 4-10
Themes/Topics: therapy animals, special needs, friendship
Opening: "Tasha is a beautiful German Shepherd. She has very big ears."
Brief Synopsis: Tasha learns to be an assistance dog and then longs to find a person she can help.
Links To Resources: From the Bunny Bud website: BunnyBud Books is offering various coordinating items such as coloring booklets, activity pages, bookmarks, vinyl stickers, various word puzzles, t-shirts, and special packages designed to help you start your own Rainbow Reading Buddies Book Club (posters, display 'dogs', etc.). PleaseContact Us for information about these fun additions.
Why I Like This Book: This is a very down-to-earth, easy-to-understand story about how dogs are trained to help people and what a difference they can make in the life of someone who needs assistance. Numerous photographs show readers the kinds of things dogs can learn to do, and then how a dog and a person (in this case a young girl with cerebral palsy) learn to work together. But it's not just about the practicality - the story is also heart-warming as it shows the deep bond that develops between child and dog. The clear, straightforward text and the lovely photographs are very accessible to young readers and will introduce them to the concept of assistance dogs in a very child-friendly way.
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
Even though I am still waiting for the Can't Sleep Without Sheep e-book to actually really and truly be available, I am very excited about voting for a jingle winner on Monday! I hope you will all tune in (ah, I'm such a punster :))
PPBF bloggers, please add your post-specific links to the list below so we can all come visit :)
Have a great weekend, everyone! :)
I have come across this series and love the photos and examples of the many ways in which dogs aid us and our communities. These sorts of books were always very popular in the school library!
ReplyDeleteFunny how we have both picked dogs and friendship. Pets teach us so much, don't they? Have a great weekend, Susanna!
ReplyDeleteThis is the first book I've seen on the topic, Susanna, but I am well aware of service dogs. My 60+ cousin's pug is a service dog. I'll have to check it out!
ReplyDeleteYes. You are THE Punster! ;) I really like the idea of this book. We learn about a subject that most people don't know about.
ReplyDeleteRhythm is going to LOVE this one ... and I think I am, too. It sounds like a treasure. Thank you for the lead on yet another book for my ever-growing list.
ReplyDeleteI love the opening - the "big ears". What a neat thing to note about a friend. (or at least someone who will become a friend) Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI've not seen this particular book, but I am familiar with the series. And it's a GOOD one!!! Thanks for showcasing service dogs!! Makes my day! I'll have to look for Tasha!
ReplyDeleteSusanna, this sounds wonderful!! Thanks for sharing - I will definitely look for a copy. Can't wait for Monday - I've had so much fun checking out everyone's jingles. Oh- BTW, be sure to catch my link to how to make CHOCOLATE scented play dough on my PPBF.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lovely heart-warming story that is important for kids to hear. Great choice, Susanna. Have a lovely weekend!
ReplyDeleteService dogs, what an awesome subject for a book.
ReplyDeleteHope your e-book launches soon . . .
ReplyDeleteSee ya on Monday, you punny punster!
This is the happiest book I have ever heard of! Yay for Assistance Dogs! I have none of the skills or talents or knowledge they have, but I am snugly.
ReplyDeleteHugs and cuddles,
Cupcake
This is a great week for dog books and non-fiction. My library bag is getting heavy!
ReplyDeleteGreat book, Susanna! Dogs really are man's (and woman's) best friend...and stories like this one might help kids who have a fear of dogs. Thanks for the resource list...I hope that teachers are using your Perfect Picture Book page - I wish I'd had it when I was teaching.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to the jingle contest results - I need to hop over and make sure there aren't any that I've missed reading. :) I absolutely LOVED Erik's video!
Yikes...just looked at my link...I wrote - Peter Rabiit, instead of Peter Rabbit. Don't know if you can fix it, Susanna...wish I could fix my eyes. :)
ReplyDeleteService dogs are a great topic! I tried to sell a manuscript about them. Too late to the party again. All dogs are good therapy in their own way. :)
ReplyDeleteI totally agree, Wendy! I've got a service dog ms too... not getting sold either... :)
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No worries :) I fixed it, Viv. At least, I hope I did... :)
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Oh my goodness! Wasn't it great? That kid is amazing :) I'm looking forward to the jingle voting too! I can't wait to see who everyone picks! And I love books about dogs, and this book is lovely because it really shows how much the dog means to the child on so many levels.
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I know it, Joanne! That happens to me every week! And I want to read every book right that second, and often times my little library doesn't have them and I have to WAIT!
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Snuggly is just as important as service... maybe even more so on certain levels. And if someone had a stuffed bumblebee that needed reprimanding, you would be very useful! :)
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What a cool book! So sweet and heart-warming:)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book! Yay, dogs! Katrina and I are excited to learn about the winner of your Jingle contest, too. You have a nice blog, Miss Susanna. We look forward to reading your new book.
ReplyDelete~Stanley
I'm so glad you like the dog book, Stanley! I love books about dogs, and this one is very special. I'm also so glad you enjoy my blog - I'm glad you found it :)
ReplyDeleteOooh, I really want to read this book! When I was looking into getting our farm dog, I joined the farm dog e-list and saw lots of posts on different things those dogs can do, but a couple of owners' stories really stood out with me and those were the ones who were training their farm dogs to be therapy dogs. Such heart-warming stories of wonderful people training wonderful dogs to help others!
ReplyDeleteI know, Teresa. It's so nice when people (and animals) help others. And a great example to kids. I'd like to do something with my dogs, but they have no manners :)
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It really is, Barbara - very touching. The little girl is so sweet, and the dog looks so happy with her :)
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Tee-hee-hee :) Thank you, Nancy :)
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I completely agree, Alicia! :)
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I'm glad you like it, Catherine! Have a great weekend too :)
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I think I could get in serious trouble with chocolate-scented playdough... I would be so tempted to sample it :) It's funny - we had a few dog books this week!
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Tasha is my favorite of the series (of the ones I've read). And I thought you would like this one, Rhythm :) I liked Otis too :)
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I know, isn't that cute, Sue? Especially because elsewhere it mentions that Tasha is a petite German Shepherd, which makes the big ears seem even sweeter :)
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You're welcome, Barbara. I really like this one because it's so real, but also very approachable for kids. And I figured Rhythm would like it too. And Cupcake :)
ReplyDeleteYes, and it's done really well, so that kids can really see what the dogs do and how the child and dog learn to work together.
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How neat that your cousin's dog is a service dog. I wish I could do that with my dogs, but I'd have to teach them some manners first :)
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They really do, Diane! And it's funny - not just you and me picked dog books this week - Laura and Rhythm did too! Have a great weekend :)
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I know, because they're so real. They give you a clear idea of what really happens which I think kids really like.
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This book does sound heartwarming. Relationships between pets and owners are strong anyway, and I can't imagine the bond between an owner and a dog that provides them a better and safer life.
ReplyDeleteI know, Penny. And this one is especially sweet because the girl is young and has had a hard time making friends because she has cerebral palsy, and the dog is young too, looking for just the right person to be a helper to. And it's just lovely how they become friends :)
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This series looks interesting. Deborah also contacted me and is sending books, but I've just returned from vacation and haven't gotten my mail yet.
ReplyDeleteI really like the idea behind the whole series, but in terms of writing and story, I thought Tasha was the best. The others involve little math lessons (fun, but not a seamless fit into the story) and they don't have as solid a beginning, middle, end satisfying story arc. But the photographs are wonderful, and the concept is great. Hope your vacation was restful, relaxing and restorative and also ton of fun :)
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