REVIEW: Madeline Finn and the Shelter Dog by Lisa Papp
In this companion to the award-winning Madeline Finn and the Library Dog, Madeline Finn finds a way to help more dogs and read more stories. Madeline Finn asks her mother for a puppy every single day. Finally, Mom says yes, and Madeline Finn chooses Star, one of the puppies born to Mrs. Dimple’s dog Bonnie. Then Mrs. Dimple tells Madeline Finn about animal shelters–a place many other pets come from. After a visit to their local shelter, Madeline Finn has some questions. Does anyone play with the shelter dogs, or snuggle with them, or read to them? Questions lead to answers, and ideas, and soon Madeline Finn and her human and animal community discover that there are lots of ways for small people to make a big difference. Author-illustrator Lisa Papp offers a heartwarming exploration of life in an animal shelter in this inspiring and endearing book for young readers eager to help their communities.
Dear Ms. Papp,
Once I’d been approved to review this book, I discovered it had a prequel. Thanks to my local library (yay!), I got to read that one too. Now Madeline is reading up a storm and trying to get her own puppy. Once her mother agrees, Madeline picks out one of Bonnie’s white fluff puppies and soon Madeline is reading to Star. Mrs. Dimple tells Madeline that Bonnie originally came from an animal shelter which leads Madeline to visit it too. But who plays with or reads to shelter dogs? Madeline has an idea – a reading idea! And soon the shelter looks like a library filled with children, blankets and books. I like that the story isn’t preachy and moments of brief sadness are followed up with happiness as Madeline and Star help make a difference. B+
~Jayne
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And here’s a real life news bit story of kids reading to shelter dogs.