REVIEW: Madeline Finn and the Library Dog by Lisa Papp

JayneB+ Reviews / Book Reviews / Recommended Readsbooks and reading / children's fiction / children's literature / childrens-books / dog / Library / picture books / reading strategies2 Comments

Madeline Finn does NOT like to read. But she DOES want a gold star from her teacher. But, stars are for good readers. Stars are for understanding words, and for saying them out loud.
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. 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.

With endearing illustrations, Lisa Papp brings an inspiring and comforting book to all new readers who just need a little confidence to overcome their fears.

Dear Ms Papp,

A few months ago, I featured a news bit about libraries with reading dogs to help children overcome their fears and hesitations about reading. Honestly, I wish I’d had the chance to do this when I was growing up. Even with the enormous amount of reading I do, I’m still not the best at reading out loud. Madeline isn’t either and at first it appears that she’s unfortunately on her way to a lifelong dislike of reading. Luckily for her, her local library has reading dogs and it’s here that she meets Bonnie – a big, lovable mountain of fluff. I’m thinking Bonnie is a Great Pyrenees. With Bonnie’s quiet encouragement and uncritical presence, Madeline learns that it’s fun to read if you’re not afraid of making mistakes.

“At first, I’m nervous. I get letters mixed up. The words don’t sound right. But then I look at Bonnie, and she looks right into my eyes. She doesn’t giggle. I feel better. I try again.
Bonnie teaches me that it’s okay to go slow, and keep trying …”

This is a lovely, gentle book with gorgeous illustrations that might just help young readers overcome their own reading issues. Go Bonnie and Madeline! B+

~Jayne

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Jayne

Another long time reader who read romance novels in her teens, then took a long break before started back again about 20 years ago. She enjoys historical romance/fiction best, likes contemporaries, action- adventure and mysteries, will read suspense if there's no TSTL characters and is currently reading very few paranormals.

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