Dogs

The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers

Action & Adventure, Animals, Children, Dogs, Friendship, Juvenile Fiction

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This is the story of Johannes, a wild dog who lives in the park. He runs his round because he is the Eyes for the keeper of the Equilibrium. He decides one day to gain a greater purpose and free his friends the bison. Though for children, I think this story would be enjoyed by anyone who has ever run and felt faster than the sun. Johannes is absolutely endearing, arrogant, feral, and free. Above all else, he’s free and wonderful. I found myself elated with every triumph and breathless with every close call. I loved it and was in tears by the beauty of the writing at the end. I absolutely cannot wait to recommend this to everyone I know. "To be alive is to go forth. So we go forth." Don’t let Johannes slip by you! He’s faster than light, so it might be hard.

The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers, (List Price: $18.99, Knopf Books for Young Readers, 9781524764203, May 2023)

Reviewed by Katlin Kerrison, Story On the Square in McDonough, Georgia

Simon and the Better Bone by Corey R. Tabor

Animals, Children, Dogs, Juvenile Fiction

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Just like Tabor’s wonderful Mel Fell, his newest picture book Simon and the Better Bone is a delight that plays with the very format of a book itself. A whimsical retelling of an Aesop fable, Simon gets into an argument with his reflection and soon learns where jealousy can lead. Vibrantly illustrated and simply told, Simon and the Better Bone is a perfect read-a-loud book!

Simon and the Better Bone by Corey R. Tabor, (List Price: 19.99, Balzer + Bray, 9780063275553, May 2023)

Reviewed by Caleb Masters, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Best Day Ever! by Marilyn Singer, Leah Nixon (Illus.)

Animals, Children, Dogs

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Very sweet boy-and-puppy friendship story. Great gift for any child who’s just gotten a puppy.

Best Day Ever! by Marilyn Singer, Leah Nixon (Illus.) (List Price: $17.99, Clarion Books, 9781328987839, 5/25/2021)

Reviewed by Jill Hendrix, Fiction Addiction in Greenville, South Carolina

Madeline Finn and the Therapy Dog by Lisa Papp

Animals, Children, Dogs

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With beautiful illustrations and a sweet message about patience and caring, Madeline Finn and the Therapy Dog is an awesome picture book for kids 4-8 years old. This is the third “Madeline Finn” book (previous were the Library Dog and the Shelter Dog). In this one, little Madeline helps her dog train to visit nursing home residents and learns that some people need more time to make friends.

Madeline Finn and the Therapy Dog by Lisa Papp (List Price: $17.99, Peachtree Publishing Company, 9781682631492, 9/1/2020)

Reviewed by Serena Wyckoff, Copperfish Books in Punta Gorda, Florida