Madeline Finn and the Library Dog Written & Illustrated by Lisa Papp [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN13: 9781561459100

Ages 4-8 - Hardcover $16.95 

My thoughts: Oh to my! This book is stunning! The pictures and soft colors are simply enchanting. And the story is so sweet and so very much a reality for so many children. (Hmmm... I've used "so" so very many times that perhaps .... well, you get the idea)

Madeline Finn could be so many children across the world. Children who are shy about reading and children who simply have a difficult time reading - either silent reading or reading aloud. Reading aloud to others can be particularly difficult and troublesome for some. No matter the reason for the difficulty, they simply have a hard time.

And it hurts. It hurts not to get a gold star for good reading. It hurts when the snickers and giggles come from classmates. It just hurts to struggle with words.

In this sweet and breath taking beautiful book, dear Madeline Finn gets taken to the library by Mom after a particularly difficult week of school. Madeline is not happy. Madeline doesn't like to read. Madeline doesn't want to read. And the librarian knows all of that and yet she gets Madeline to go along with her to a special room. In that special room there are lots of children and lots of different dogs and the children are reading to the dogs. Madeline is asked if she would like to read to the large white Library Dog who doesn't have a child assigned. Madeline agrees. The reading begins, slowly, with some mistakes, but the Library Dog just waits patiently and without criticism and Madeline is able to continue.

This story speaks so much to my heart. I was shy in school. I was sort of a reluctant reader. I had difficult reading aloud (remember reading circles). I had great difficult getting in front of the class and doing anything! So I quite understand Madeline.

I don't know about the reality of Library Dogs, but I do know that patience is a magical worker for a multitude of difficulties. I heartily recommend this book for homes, classrooms, and libraries everywhere. It can educate young readers to be patient with themselves and with others.

Purchase the book - click here

Peachtree Publishing has a great article about Library Therapy Dogs - click here

On another note, when I was a child, our family had a dog named Bonnie, too. Madeline's Library Dog's name was "Bonnie." 

About the book: Madeline Finn DOES NOT like to read. Not books. Not magazines. Not even the menu on the ice cream truck.

Fortunately, Madeline Finn meets Bonnie, a library dog. Reading out loud to Bonnie isn't so bad. When Madeline Finn gets stuck, Bonnie doesn't mind. Madeline Finn can pet her until she figures the word out.

As it turns out, it's fun to read when you're not afraid of making mistakes. Bonnie teaches Madeline Finn that it's okay to go slow. And to keep trying. And to get support from a friend.

GIVEAWAY
BEGINS September 18
ENDS October 10 @ 12:01 a.m. ET
Open to USA addresses only.

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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Peachtree Publishing to facilitate this review. Opinions are just mine, alone. I was not compensated for this review.