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Rescue & Jessica A Life-Changing Friendship

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Rescue & Jessica: A Life Changing Friendship by Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes
Format: Easy Picture Book
Who It’s For: Children

Rescue is a pup who grew up on a special farm where dogs are trained to help people who cannot see. His trainer said he would be better suited as a service dog. Could he be a good service dog and what would his new partner be like? Then he meets Jessica, a girl whose life turned out differently than she thought. Jessica needs Rescue by her side to help her accomplish everyday things. Her legs were badly hurt and she had to have part of her left leg removed to become healthy again. She is an amputee now, said her Doctor and she would need a prosthetic leg or use a wheelchair.
On the farm, Rescue was learning how to be a service dog who could open doors, fetch things and be a helper.
Jessica was learning new ways to do things. It was hard and she was discouraged until a visitor came and brought their service dog. Jessica saw how a smart dog like that could help her and filled out an application to get a dog that day.
Rescue and Jessica got the news that they would be partners. Rescue and Jessica finally met. Rescue showed her all the things he could do to help her. “You’re amazing!” Jessica told Rescue. They learned how to take care of each other.
This story is based on a real life friendship between Jessica Kensky and a black Labrador retriever named Rescue. Jessica was injured during the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. She eventually became a double amputee. Rescue and Jessica learned how to do all the things they needed to do together.
Find it in the catalog.

 

Can I Be Your Dog?

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Submitted by Ms. Tess!

Can I Be Your Dog? is the title of this delightful book by Troy Cummings, and it’s also the question that Arfy, the protagonist dog of this story, is asking everyone on Butternut Street, via letters sent to each house. First he writes to the “people at the yellow house.” He lets them know he is potty trained and he loves to play. He knows they have a cat, but he’s willing to work with them! Unfortunately the reply with a “no.” Next Arfy writes the “butcher lady.” He’d be a great butcher shop dog! He’d keep the floor super clean! But she’s not interested either. Arfy writes the fire department, the dump, and even the last house on Butternut Street, which appears to have been abandoned, but Arfy isn’t picky, just really lonely. Poor Arfy! But someone is very interested in having him as a dog… The mail carrier who has been delivering all his letters thinks he’s great! This is a heart warming tale of animal adoption that may inspire you to take home your own shelter pet one day! See this book listed in our catalog.

Frankie

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Submitted by Ms. Jill!

Frankie by Mary Sullivan. Frankie is a small white pup with black spots, who has just been adopted and is SO EXCITED to have a new home and a new person. Nico is a small black dog with a white belly, who already lives in that home with that person. Frankie wants to explore, taste, and play with everything! But Nico doesn’t want to share anything. The toys, the bones, the blankie, the bed… Nico firmly claims all the good stuff, leaving Frankie to scrounge and make do, until a gift from their human tips the balance. Now Frankie has all the best stuff! Will Nico and Frankie learn to live together and share their treasures? This sweet story is told from the perspective of the two dogs, through the wonderful expressive pictures, and very simple words. Read Frankie with your little dog-lover, or anyone who needs a gentle story about sharing and feelings. See this book listed in our catalog

Ideas Are All Around

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Submitted by Ms. Josie!

Ideas Are All Around by Philip C. Stead. Philip C. Stead is an author. That means it’s his job to write stories. The only problem is…he doesn’t have any ideas! So instead of writing, he decides to take his dog, Wednesday, out for a walk. This is when the magic happens. Because as Mr. Stead goes on about his daily business, he discovers that ideas are actually all around. Each event in the story propels the imagination of both the author and the reader. A seemingly normal walk around town develops into an imagination-packed and thought provoking adventure. Colorful illustrations paired with Polaroid photos from the author’s actual walk interestingly juxtapose the reality of the world with fantastical imaginings. The text in this book meanders along slowly, reflective of an actual walk. The author also subtly mentions more complex ideas such as those about personal reflection, war, poverty, and environmental change. These mentions could become great discussion points for older children. Overall, this story is charming and heartwarming as it reminds us of the beauty in ordinary things. See this book listed in our catalog

I Will Love You Anyway

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Submitted by Ms. Sue!

I Will Love You Anyway by Mick Inkpen, illustrated by Chloe Inkpen, is the story of little pug dog who is many times badly behaved and won’t stop running away. Dog thinks: “I lick your face, I bite your leg, I scratch the carpet, I steal your gloves, and they smell of you.” They tell me “Stop,” “Quit,” “Sit,” and “Leave.” “I run away.” Dog runs and runs and runs. He is out all night. He whimpers and cries. He hears a car! Help! Woof! Yelp! Then the car stops and Dog sees it’s his human who picks him up and takes him home. Dog knows if he could speak he would say: I will never run away again! But he wags his tail instead. Dog thinks: I don’t do “Sit!” and I don’t do “Stay!” But I will love you anyway. See this book listed in our catalog

My Friend Fred

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Submitted by special guest blogger Ms. Andrea!

My Friend Fred written by Hiawyn Oram is a precious book about friendship and sharing. Grace believes their family dog, Fred, is hers and hers alone. She believes this because they do everything together. Unfortunately, Grace learns a lesson in sharing and happiness when she locks Fred up to keep him from having fun with her sister and her sister’s friends. She watches Fred becomes very sad. Realizing she is keeping Fred from being happy, she lets him out in the yard with all of the family and family’s friends. At the end of the story Grace admits she made a big decision allowing Fred to play with all his friends, but secretly she still believes he is just her dog.  This book is fun to read aloud with different voices. Adults will find the end entertaining and children will love the illustrations. See this book listed in our catalog