Book Review: Shelby's Story (middle school, dogs)

Shelby's Story: A Dog's Way Home Tale, by W. Bruce Cameron* (Scholastic, $16.99HB, 2020, 208pp, with study guide questions for ages 8-12, grades 3-7, one of 10 puppy tales) Review by Skye Anderson

Perhaps the best of the puppy novels, Shelby's Story is a bit different. Instead of taking one of the dogs in the A Dog's Purpose 'trilogy' and expanding (and repeating parts of) that puppy's life experiences, Shelby is a more real-to-life account of the life of Shelby, a shelter dog who becomes one of the three dogs (Bella*) to play the lead in A Dog's Way Home.

And the process of making this dog movie.

The movie that Shelby stars in was co-written (as was the book) by W. Bruce Cameron (and his wife) so Bruce plays a regular part in Shelby's book and, would you believe, Shelby thinks he is not the smartest brick on the wall! Can you imagine writing a book, writing the screenplay, and observing the filming of the movie - and having the freedom to make the author/screenwriter (you) look rather inept in the book about the filming: what fun you could have with making fun of yourself!

From Rags to Red Carpet**

Shelby, born to a breeder, escapes the backyard with her sister and has to live off the land. Then she finds herself in an animal shelter, then chosen by Trainer Teresa (and Bruce Cameron, writer, and Cathryn Michon, director) to be in a movie!

But mostly this is a book about the human-animal bond, as told by the canine (she 'gets' some things late and other things all wrong but they are all humorous), the bond between Shelby and Teresa. You will not learn much about the story of Bella except that she digs someone out from being buried in an avalanche and shares a meal with a Big Kitten (cougar?) but that alone may spur you on to reading the book, A Dog's Way Home, and seeing the movie.

Although I loved the relationship between Trainer Teresa and Canine Shelby, and though Cameron usually got the training method right - positive reinforcement - he did take some shortcuts that the trainer in me would never take, as with his other books.

*plus Cameron has written an entire puppy tale about Bella!

**Shelby, who makes the incredible journey from rescue to red carpet learns that "Bella" isn't her most important role. Shelby's most important role is being Teresa's dog! p108

Favorite Passages:

I knew about darkness It became dark every night in our yard, and sometimes a little cold. The thing to do with darkness was to cuddle close to someone warm and wait for it to go away. p25

People had ways I did not understand to fill up their pockets with treats. It was probably the best part of being a human person. p69

For a long time, the only job I had was filling my stomach. Now I had bowls of food every day, but even more important, I had Teresa and I had Training. I had work to do and a person to do it with. A dog needs both of those things. (forgot to write down the page number)

. . . Megan had come to be my first person, and she'd taken me to my pen with bowls of food and a roof overhead. There I wasn't hungry or lonely anymore. That had been a good place. But it wasn't a home.      I hadn't understood that then. But I knew it now.     My home was here, where I had a person and a pack and a job to do. Even when Teresa and I left to do Training in other places, we would always come back here. p186

Book Review: Gus (foster puppy, dog walking and training in middle school)

Gus, by Ellen Miles (Scholastic, $4.99, 2015, 96pp PB, ages 7-10, one of 71 titles in The Puppy Place series) Review by Skye Anderson

Two Intersecting Stories

A dog walker's club of four girls is in turmoil because all of them want to be president. 

A mom of one of the girls who is not a dog person - that is, until Gus arrives as an energetic foster puppy and, in order to decide who can adopt Gus, Lizzie, brother Charles and Baby Bean decide to have an essay contest to select the best family for Gus.

A surprise ending, which the astute girl (or boy) reader can guess. . . . 

Lizzie's Family Fosters

Lizzie's family has one puppy and fosters other puppies until they find the best forever home for them. But who appears on the scene but Gus who steals Mom's heart, surreptitiously. So, Houston, we have a problem. Can the family continue to foster dogs if they adopt Gus? Not likely plus they are in the process of selecting Gus' family even as we speak.

Author Ellen Miles tries to instill in the reader gentle, positive reward training tips and she succeeds to a certain extent, having written at least 40 books, among them the third in the Puppy Place series -  Shadow

and Rascal, number four in the Puppy Place series.

Book Review: Bailey's Story (middle school, dogs)

Bailey's Story: An Irresistible Tale of a Dog and His Boy, by W. Bruce Cameron* (Scholastic, $5.99PB, 2016, 208pp, with study guide questions for ages 8-12, grades 3-7) Review by Skye Anderson

In Bailey's Story, we meet Golden Retriever Bailey as a little pup, still with his litter. Through various adventures, he lands with his boy Ethan and tells us about his cat, his farm, and training his family to let him sleep with Ethan. And yet, even though Bailey has found his person, he asks himself why. What is his purpose in life?

Bailey is telling his story which is part of the book for older teens and adults (16 and up), A Dog's Purpose, reviewed here.

Author W. Bruce Cameron tells of the soul of a dog through four or five different dogs trying to discover his/her purpose in life with regards to humans, especially one boy (Ethan). Bailey's story comprises the majority of the book and seems to be condensed, rewritten or mostly taken verbatim from Purpose. This way, older siblings and parents can read about Bailey at the same time as middle-schoolers can read about him, then go on to Ellie and other puppies.

Each chapter in Bailey's book, though not titled, has the silhouette of a Golden, while chapters in Purpose have silhouettes of a puppy or a dog in a different position - all of which makes it fun to guess at the meaning of that chapter.

We read Purpose in a couple of days, followed by Bailey's story and surmised the above so it was hard to finish, knowing what was coming next, especially if it was a scary or sad incident. But, not to worry - all turns out best in the end. We think we may read the next Puppy Tale to see if we guessed Cameron's MO (modus operandi) correctly, and if we did, we may skip some or all of the others. After all, Cameron has plenty of great reads that we haven't read yet. However, this is still a great series for adults to read as their middle-schoolers read the puppy tales.

What Does Bailey Do?

Bailey takes care of his boy: notices when he is sad and nose bumps him for comfort. Bailey also loves games like Lick the Plate, This Ball is Mine, Tug on the Sock, and Rescue Me, and he really tries to understand humans and other animals. When Hannah brought over some brownies in a basket, Bailey ". . . sat down, trying hard to look as nice as possible so she'd hand the basket over to me." (p 105) And when winter finally comes to Michigan and Ethan goes sledding, Bailey writes, "I stared in astonishment. I never knew that the boy could move like that! Instead of walking or running, stiffly upright on two legs, he was zooming close to the ground. I tore down the hill after him, barking with excitement and surprise." (p 71-2)

*Another book in this series is Ellie's Story, reviewed here

Book Review: A Dog's Purpose: A Novel for Humans (dogs, movie)

A Dog's Purpose: A Novel for Humans, by W. Bruce Cameron (Tom Doherty, 2012, 335pp PB, $9.99, ages 16 and up) Part 1* of 3. Review by Skye Anderson

Every Dog Happens for a Reason

Everyone now knows this classic movie but have you read the book?** It is just as good, albeit a bit bittersweet. Your teens will read A Dog's Purpose at night rather than watching a movie on Netflix. I promise. It's that good!

As we age, whether we are college-age or more the age of  our grandparents, we wonder what our purpose in life is. So do dogs. And A Dog's Purpose tells the story of one dog who discovers his purpose in life. Several times, as he (she) ventures into different bodies but always the same wonderful soul and man's best friend (or a boy's best friend).

A Good Boy

Written from the dog's point of view, nearly everything makes sense and human teens can surmise what is happening and why, while the dog can't always. Little readers, not so much either. Even the sad parts are made sweet by the mind pictures of the relationship between Bailey Dog and Ethan Boy as they both grow up. 

And Funny!

Downright funny in places ("We all barked jealously . . . and then we barked because we were barking." p.36) and sweetly sensitive in others ("I sat down, looking as attractive as possible so she'd  hand over what was in her basket." p107). And if you can read only one chapter to start with, read Chapter 9, in which Bailey learns a lot but mostly what not to do.

But try reading A Dog's  Purpose with dry eyes, even if you know the story - the writing is so magical - the boy needs his dog and Bailey knows it. You will  not be able to put this book down, a new classic.

Mostly Bailey is a Good Dog, but, as a puppy he wasn't always, until he learned what he was supposed to do. 

Toby with his short life, Bailey helping Ethan grow up, Ellie whose job is in SAR with two handlers util he injured his nose on a search and had to be re-careered, and finally - Buddy.

If this book doesn't make you want to hug your dog (or get a dog) then I'm not a book reviewer!

----------------------------------------

* part 2 is A Dog's Journey, part 3 is A Dog's Promise, though the author doesn't refer to the trilogy as sequels but rather a continuation

** with study guides for most of his books (for intermediate and secondary grades, some of which are 66 pages), you know they are stories to keep and re-read. A few even come with activity kits.

Other Cameron dog books reviewed here:

Ellie's Story

The Dogs of Christmas

A Dog's Perfect Christmas

Book Review: Vets and Pets (veterans)

Vets and Pets: Wounded Warriors and the Animals that Help Them Heal, by Dava Guerin and Kevin Ferris (Skyhorse Publishing, $21.99, 232pp HB, 2017)

All the Vets and Pets stories are about pets (and vets) but some of the animals are more than pets: they are service dogs. . . .

The first half of the book features service members and their dogs (all branches are represented eventually- combat tours and not) while the second half focuses in on other animals, a rare book to do so but stories we should be aware of.

We loved the chapter titles many of which reflected the branch of service and a quote about the relationship with their pet: Chapter 5, The Army Captain, Isaac Has Been Waiting for His Special Person

The Writers

Authors Dava Guerin and Kevin Ferris are experienced authors and also experienced at working together on a book. However, each chapter appears to have been written by committee in that, though it will progress chronologically for the most part, it really seems to jump around too much. This has helped us to decide not to read other books by the same authors. For example, it seems we are reading about a relationship rather than experiencing it.

The astute reader might do well to skip Chapter 16, the final chapter. Its purpose is to summarize how to be a good animal caretaker but the veterinarian who spends a few pages on training mixes up positive reinforcement training and traditional force-based methods.

Simply the Best!

However, Chapter 8, "The Navy Dog Handler," is almost the best chapter this reviewer has ever read that describes the close bond between dog and human.

And The Other Half

Cats and birds of prey and horses and pigs! All can help veterans just as veterans can help rescued animals be they cats or birds of prey or horses or pigs. Pets for Patriots* is an organization that works with animal shelters and veterans who want pets, though a couple of other rescues are mentioned (TADSAW for one). 

Veterans can also spend a couple of weeks at or volunteer at an animal sanctuary: both benefit.

And The Theme is. . . .

They don't have to be dogs, though: this is perhaps the theme of Vets and Pets. We think of dogs first because they are the first animals we think of when we think of service animals plus they are often cuddly which can be important for veterans who don't have family or close friends but mucking out horse stalls and riding horses who don't cuddle can be just as healing.

*and our local (Maryland) service dog organization for veterans merits a mention also, in the first chapter - Canine Warrior Connection and its veteran founder, Rick Yount

Book Review: Tales of Al, the Water Rescue Dog: The Making of a Super Athlete (dog lifesavers)

Tales of Al, the Water Rescue Dog: The Making of a Super Athlete, by Lynne Cox (Knopf, 2022, 224pp HB, $27) Review by Skye Anderson

I've had this book for a while. It's a fairly small book so I thought I could get through it quickly, between reading the hard stuff that I am required to read. I did, but, rather than passing it on like I do many of the books I review, I first started memorizing the page numbers with quotes to remember but when that list became too long, I resorted to dogearing (no pun intended) the lower right corner of a page and when I had too many of those, I broke down and started to highlight: that meant I was going to keep the book. And I only keep the really good ones that I want to read again.

Tales of Al is a lovely read about an Italian school for 'lifesaver dogs' that are known world-wide via Youtube. Just google on Italian, water dog, lifeguard, lifesaver or even Croatian water dogs.

A really good book is one whose review I start writing before I have finished reading it. Tales of Al is one such book.

Al is a big dog, an Italian water dog* who is being trained to drop out of helicopters and offer himself  to a panicky swimmer to hold on to and then swim the human to shore. The training is long - many months, but these special dogs love the water and, when certified, also love their jobs. They swim out to struggling swimmers, then circle them until the swimmer grabs onto a handle on their canine life jacket. Some dogs can even tow multiple swimmers into shore at the same time.

The Book and the Author

You will learn as much about the scrumptious Italian cooking as about the dogs' training.  In short, the author ventures over to Italy to observe the dogs' training to become lifesavers, but especially a Newfie named Al. It is hit or miss for most of the book though since Al is too exuberant at times. Will he pass the final exams or will he have to spend another year in training?

Author  Lynne Cox is a long distance swimmer and motivational speaker with a lovely writing style. I can't wait to read Grayson about her adventure swimming with a lost baby whale.

*Other breeds in this profession often include golden retrievers and labrador retrievers for their love of the water and calm dispositions

Book Review: The Girls of Skylark Lane (YA) (twins and friends, and a pet rat)(OT)

The Girls of Skylark Lane, by Robin Benway (Harper Collins, 272ppHB, ages 8-12, grades 3-7, $19.99, 2024) Review by Skye Anderson

Off to a slow start, but keep with it: it will be worth finishing! And, after a couple of mentions (hints), the crisis at the end was not a surprise, but how a couple of the characters deal with it is rewarding. It is also surprising to the extent the plot accelerates perhaps too fast towards the end.

Skylark Lane? You've got to be kidding! That sounds like a book for teen girls in the 30s or 40s but the social situations are certainly 21st century issues. 

Modern Day Plots and Characters

We have middle-school twin girls (and the chapters alternate), one of whom is growing apart from the other because she is growing up faster. We also have a friend whose father passed away last year so she lives with her grandmother, we have a girl whose parents are separated, a girl whose parents are divorced, a girl whose mother is a TV star, a little sister, parents of the same sex, a girl who makes a mint selling lemonade, a cute boy, adoption - what more could you ask for in a modern-day novel for pre-teens? But, not to worry: it is not too much (for most of the book).

The neighborhood girls have a softball team and practice every day. So far, no games though.

The twins and their dads have just moved to a 'burb of LA and one of them is being bullied. They have separate bedrooms (a great idea!) and I love those names - Agapanthus (Aggie) and Jacaranda (Jac). They definitely are besties and their dads are to die for. One is Dad and the other is Papa, together making the Dads. 

And Don't Forget the Plots!

It's all about an unusual family that you will grow to love. It's all about the usual twins-growing-up and -apart crises - being cranky, is one of them. Stubborn, another.

At the end, you will hope that this is the first of a series!

Book Review: Christmas Cats (children's book, cats gone wild!)

Christmas Cats, by Amy Pulliam (BookLogix Kids, ages 4 and up, $24.99, 2024) Review by Skye Anderson

For Cat Lovers - And Dog People, too!

Author Amy Pulliam knows cats! She is also the author of Cooped Up Cats: she has penned a couple of really fun and funny books. 

Who knew cats could be so much fun? Of course, illustrator Vince Ortiz has a lot to do with the feline antics: each page has so much to see and talk about!

The Plot

Mo is a Sphinx cat, hairless, who lives with a real life scaredy cat, Tiger, with the scary name. They realize it is almost Christmas and that means the cousin cats will come for a visit and bring their chaos-causing Duke with them. Then, who appears but Dog Pippin who is caught by the cat traps the cousins set. The crashes and other wild antics depicted in water color will keep your interest no matter what your age as you spend tons of time on each page with all the activity and plays on words.

I can't wait to read Cooped Up Cats! Do you think the inside front cover will have Meow's while the inside back covers have Meow's and Woof's like Christmas Cats?

Book Review: The Girl Who Cried for the Earth: A Story of Hope, Healing & Possibilities (OT)

The Girl Who Cried for the Earth: A Story of Hope, Healing & Possibilities, by Bodhi Simpson (2nd Tier Publishing, 2024, 68ppHB, ages 8-18, $19.99) Review by Skye Anderson

Can you tell a book by its cover? Sometimes yes, sometimes no, but it is the first clue you have and whether or not the book will draw you in is often foreseen by its cover. This cover is highly symbolic and fairly pessimistic as far as the illustration goes so, thankfully, the subtitle resurrects it, along with the calming blues and greens - and the flowers.

A young girl is in love with the world and all its beauty but as she grows up she notices the pollution, the waste, and many other facets of life that are negative.

As she falls asleep one night, the jaguar, the owl, the buffalo, the earth, and the dove, are beings that the girl encounters in her dreams and she wakes up refreshed with ideas of how to help the earth and its inhabitants heal and grow in peace and beauty. Several pages in the back are devoted to cognitive thinking and imaging exercises and projects to do to accomplish leaving our earth a better place than we found it. Inspirational, creative visualization will help the reader not only help others but help the earth as well. These words of wisdom will give you inner peace, as found through the poetic words and meaningful illustrations.

Book Review: The Crocodile Choir (OT)(Sing, crocodile, sing!)

The Crocodile Choir, by Nico Altamirano (MaoMao House, 2024, 56ppPB, $11.99, ages up to 10 years) Review by Skye Anderson

Cody is the cutest little crocodile you ever did see but he has a problem - he is not like the other crocodiles: Cody wants to sing! The other crocodiles say, "That's not what we do."

So Cody floats on down the Nile, searching for someone to sing with that he doesn't scare off because he's a crocodile, albeit a cute one. 

What would you do if a friend rebuffs you? Would you turn the other cheek and believe you could find another friend? That's what Cody did - he found a whole chorus of jungle animals singing away but when he wanted to join them, he heard, "That's not what you do."

So it happened again. And that chorus of elephants and zebras and giraffes and hippos and lions and monkeys were so cute!

But poor Cody! Would he ever find some animal friends to sing with? What do you think?

Singing is like a lion roaring or a bird soaring or a monkey jiving and hooping and hollering - because that's what they do.  But what does a crocodile do other than take naps and float? Does everyone have a special gift? Read The Crocodile Choir to find out!

Book Review: Tomas Returns to School (OT)(children's book)

Tomas Returns to School, by Xiomara Gallego-Bernard (The Inspired Fit Mama, $14.99, 5-8 years, 36ppHB) Review by Skye Anderson

It is almost the end of vacation and of trips to the zoo and of playing with friends for Tomas, a sensitive boy about to enter first grade for the first time (last year he went to kindergarten which had small classes with his friends). He has a lot of questions for his mom, being scared and nervous but she knows exactly what to say. 

What if. . . ?

He will have a new teacher and will meet new kids and worries about so many new things. His mom knows what to do and even has a new idea for him to try. 

They talk it out and practice breathing exercises. Mom tells Tomas that she felt the same way when she went to school for the first time but she has faith in Tomas and he will succeed and even have fun.

Sensitivity is a Superpower!

And he did. But what really helped him was helping another boy be brave on his first day. They shared the breathing exercises and, as it turned out, became best friends. 

Tomas found out that he, a sensitive boy, does have a superpower!

Book Review: On Safari to See the Animals and the Birds (OT)(guess the zoo animal/bird)

On Safari to See the Animals and the Birds, by Sandy Hill (Independently published, $11.99, 2018, 36ppPB) Review by Skye Anderson

On Safari to See the Animals and the Birds is a fun and challenging learning experience not only for kids but also for parents and families - and big kids, too!

Eight animal photographs that the author took appear along with cute cartoon animals and plants - each one to a page along with a page of their footprints (tracks), asking you to guess their identity.

A page full of interesting facts about an animal leads you to guess who it is before you turn the page to find the answer - a whole page devoted to the animal (bird) plus another with its tracks. Then, on to the next. 

Many animals and birds are too difficult to guess correctly so this book serves to educate: the more you read and participate, the more you learn.

And there are blank pages for you to draw animals or their tracks - or yours!

This is a book to take with you!

A family of raccoons, a male peacock in bloom, owls with spectacles, tigers with stripes all help you learn how to tell a cat-like animal from a bird from a dog-like animal.

Book Review: Leyni's God Adventure (OT)(a wish come true - to help others)

Leyni's God Adventure, by Sandy Hill (Create Space, 2018, $11.99, 28ppPB) Review by Skye Anderson

Do you remember your dreams from when you were five years old? Did you want to be an astronaut, a cowboy, a superathlete, or did you want to save the world, teach the world, feed the world, cure the world? Dreams of saving the world by feeding all the children, by building enough schools and clinics for all the little children of the world?

What did your parents say when you told them? Chances are that they smiled and changed the subject, right? But what if you really wanted to do what God talks about? What would you have given if your parents had listened, really listened, and then helped make your wish come true? 

It happened to Leyni! 

Her wish was to give food and water to the poor. So, her parents, brother and sister, and grandparents Poppy and Grammy helped think of ideas to make money and they loved one idea. So they all set to work and the proceeds came in by the bushels full! Soon they had enough money for a water well in Sudan!

And Then, . . . 

Leyni had another great idea! To buy animals like chickens who lay eggs and sheep to provide wool. And that sounds like another book!

Bonus: Just like Heaven, Just Believe, Leyni's God Adventure also comes in a DIY version, with no pictures so the young reader can read, imagine the pictures and then draw the pictures themselves. How cool is that?

Book Review: Heaven, Just Believe (children's book)

Heaven, Just Believe, by Sandy Hill (Create Space, 2017, 28ppPB, $11.99, ages 5-9) Review by Skye Anderson

From the prolific author and grandmother Sandy Hill has come another children's book for the curious (and what child is not curious?): Heaven, Just Believe, for those children who wonder who goes to heaven, what do they do, and, basically, what it is like. Their beloved grandmother has recently passed away but, before she did, she visited Heaven and wrote about her visit in her diary which she saved for her grandchildren, Elliot and Ashley. The children miss the grandmother so much that they would love to visit her, but how can they?

Questions About Heaven

Elliot and Ashley have many questions about heaven such as: Do they dance in heaven? People? Angels? Do they giggle? Do dogs go to heaven? All these and more are questions the children have if they could visit but if they could visit they would learn the answers. The children believe - believe so hard, but can they learn about heaven without going there?

Bonus

Sandy Hill has another version of Heaven out, too, this one with no pictures so the young reader can read, imagine the pictures and then draw the pictures themselves. How cool is that?

Book Review: Above the Clouds (when a loved one passes away, for children)

Above the Clouds, by Kris Nulf (Book Baby, 2023, $14.95, 34ppPB, ages 5-7, kindergarten to grade 2) Review by Skye Anderson

Illustrator Carrie Knox has created the cutest little girl you ever will see. But the little girl is not happy - her mother has passed away and she misses her and wants to see her and be with her - she has many questions to ask. She is so sad that the pages are black and white.

The little girl's dogs try to make her feel better with kisses as she falls off to sleep (we even see the sheep she is counting). In her dream, way up there above the clouds, her mother appears with wings and the little girl is so happy the black and white pages turn to color. Then, amid the smiles, a rainbow appears to take the little girl back home again.

When she awakes in the morning, the little girl remembers her mother with joy and promises to do good and be happy.

Author Kris Nulf has written a book in rhyme that is simply perfect in every way! This book is for you and for anyone who has lost someone and misses them.

Book Review: In Pharaoh's Army: Memories of the Lost War (Vietnam)

In Pharaoh's Army: Memories of the Lost War, by Tobias Wolff (Vintage, 240pp, 1995, $12) Review by Skye Anderson

No, not a book about a pharaoh in Egypt. This reviewer always needs to figure out why a book was titled as it was. . . . and remains at a loss here, as well as about 'the lost war' (except that we lost the war in Vietnam rather than winning it?).

The emotions Pharaoh's Army brings up are numerous and unsettling - author Tobias Wolff does an excellent job of describing Basic Training at Ft. Jackson, SC, and describes travel and waiting in the Army, particularly on the way to a war overseas ("Hurry up and wait"). Wolff is perhaps this generation's Jack Kerouac or Holden Caulfield (he speaks in raw language to some 'revolutionaries' but not to all, to some grown-up hippies and conscientious objectors but not all).

My Vietnamese language came back and most of the tones, more of the vocabulary, thanks to this highly-respected memoirist.

Thirteen Chapters

At first, thinking they were 13 short stories, I soon found out differently: the first two chapters are highly unique in their juxtaposition and explanation. But, why thirteen?

Fiction or Non-fiction?

But is this a book of fiction or non-fiction? A memoir is a little of both. And there are not yet enough books out about Vietnam or Iraq or Afghanistan and, I wonder, are more of them written by officers or enlisted personnel? Begun over there or not until the soldier comes back and has time on his hands?

Can anyone write a book about their experiences in the military or in a combat zone? Perhaps, since each person's experiences are unique yet they all share so much in common just by being in the military plus since the military transfers its people so often, they can run into each other a few times in just one career. Many experiences are shared, just not at the same time.

So, yes, you can write about your time in the military even if it wasn't heroic, simply by embellishing a few experiences as author Tobias Wolff did. It helps to meet your buddies as civilians and shoot the breeze, however.

Unsettling

Wolff is the brilliant kid who doesn't know where he is going so he lands in a relationship that is caustic. He also lucks out in Vietnam and befriends a meal. And, my, how wars change. There was so much more freedom in Vietnam than in Iraq or Afghanistan if you consider what one individual can do or where one can go - alone. And what he can drink.

And, yes, there was a dog in it.

Book Review: 'Twas the Year of the World Series (OT)(Children's book)(2021 Atlanta Braves)

'Twas the Year of the World Series, by Debbie Clark (Mascot Books, $19.95, 2024, 34ppHB) Review by Skye Anderson 

Souvenir to Save!

What a wonderful memory if you love baseball or if you are an Atlanta Braves fan or if you want to know every little detail about the 2021 World Series and the team that won it, after so long. 

Incredible Illustrations!

We knew we would love 'Twas the Year of the World Series when we saw the crowds - on the inside front and back, on the cover, and on all but three pages of the book itself. Some views of the crowds were fuzzy, out of focus, because the eye is drawn to someone close to the 'lens' rather than in the background. The faces are grey and orange and white and black blobs but there is no question that they are faces in the crowd. And several pages are reminiscent of a scrapbook.

The Story - Six After Twenty-six

Every big name player down through the ages, every game of the 2021 World Series itself - all six with the Astros, and winning 4 to 2 games. What a way to celebrate and keep this striking souvenir children's book.

Book Review: How to Defeat Bully Brain: OCD Detectives (OT)(Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)(children)

How to Defeat Bully Brain: OCD Detectives, by Ella Kim (Gatekeeper Press, 2024, 76pp, ages 8-12, $10.99PB) Review by Skye Anderson

Hot on the heels of Volume 1, A Story about OCD* and starring a boy, comes Volume 2, OCD Detectives starring a girl, written by highschool student Ella Kim.

What is OCD?

OCD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, is a condition whose definition (with examples) appears on page 66 at the end of the book.

Now that the reader has read volume 1and knows a bit about OCD we know that Bully Brain is a voice in your head (often secret) telling you to do things that may interfere with your best life. What can one do about a Bully Brain?

Along comes Scarlett, a detective who founded Defeating Bully Brain Organization. Her job is to find OCD candidates, teach them a technique to overcome their type of OCD and send them on their way to find others to teach but some students are harder than others and take longer - we are all different.

First, we have Alice with Dirty Dan, then Noah and finally Jackson with Goody Gil. Using Detective Scarlett's method, they all learn to overcome their Bully Brain and graduate to becoming 'teachers' themselves, with more difficult cases.

The Method

Scarlett teaches the Step by Step Method which can be followed in many situations life throws at us.

A Scrapbook

Defeat looks like a scrapbook with simple colorful illustrations on each page. A fun and helpful book to refer to often.

-------------------

*

Book Review: Ava and Maya the Fairy Dragon (OT)

Ava and Maya the Fairy Dragon, by Medha Bhaskar (6 years old) (Independently published, 40pp, $17.99HB, 2025, ages 4-12) Review by Skye Anderson 

With gorgeous illustrations in bold primary colors and simple lines yet illustrating exquisite creativity, Ava and Maya the Fairy Dragon is a lesson in believing. 

Little Ava plays in the forest, perhaps chasing butterflies but never catching one: one day Ava becomes lost and who appears but a fairy dragon, Maya, with scales that shimmer like stars. Maya rescues Ava and returns her to her home and family - thank goodness! 

A lovely book about love, family and believing - believing in secret friends to share adventures with. Believe and it will come true, if only in your dreams.

Reminiscent of Peter Pan, Maya appears only to Ava and only at night, bringing dreams of lovely adventures with hints of a sequel. Both believe in butterflies and magic, sparkling rainbows and friendship.

We can't wait for more adventures of a little girl and her secret fairy dragon friend!

Book Review: The Color of Sound (young violinist on strike, Bernese Mountain Dog, synesthesia)

The Color of Sound, by Emily Barth Isler (CarolRhoda Books, $19.99 HB, 336pp, 2024, ages 11-14, grades 6-8) Review by Skye Anderson

Rare indeed is the book for middle-schoolers that also keeps adults reading to the end - in almost one sitting! The Color of Sound is one such book, written, I'm sure, with both young and old(er) in mind.

Author Emily Barth Isler does not talk down to middle-schoolers but considers them an almost-equal, able to understand complex relationships, having studied them subconsciously for at least a dozen years, yet it is only now that the girl's understanding coalesces and wise words emanate.

The more usual book for middle schoolers is overshot with dialogue, so Color is refreshing with just the right amount. 

And the cover, like the cover of Aftermath,

is one you will return to often as you see different things in it each time. The intriguing cover of Color wraps around, with a girl on the front and a look-alike on the back with time and music woven in.

What's it All About?

Our protagonist Rosie has the rare ability to sense colors when she hears sound*. She is also a child prodigy and has played the violin all her life. 

Until now. 

Now is the six weeks she and her mom stay at her maternal grandparents where her mother grew up - a large house almost in the country. 

Rosie is on strike: she left her violin at home and demands to take a break from that life of lessons and practice and rehearsals and competitions and orchestras and music camps. But Grandmother is in the late stages of Alzheimers, Grandfather is a quiet man, and they have a big slobbery Bernese Mountain Dog, who is always in the way. 

And, they have a shed that Rosie takes shelter in one day only to find another soul there to educate her. But who is this other? And can Rosie change that 'other'?

It's About Relationships and Family History

Can children really educate their parents, change them? Perhaps only when they know the whole story, as Rosie discovers, in bits and pieces, the story of her family and generations past - why she knows nothing about them. Yet.

Did Rosie choose violin or did her talent choose it for her? Why is it so important to her mother and her father?

The Color of Sound will stay with the young reader for a long time and may just spark an interest in acting, in music, in family history, in dogs.

Bonus: Like Aftermath with mathematical terms like chapter titles, The Color of Sound introduces each chapter with a musical term (pianissimo, staccato, etc.) and it is up to the astute reader to discover why. Although a background in music will make reading this book a richer experience, no background at all will not hinder its enjoyment.

*synesthesia: one receives information in two of the five senses at once (sight, sound, touch, taste, smell). Sounds may have colors, words may have taste, . . . .

Book Review: A Fatal Arrangement (Pacific Northwest, flowers, murder)

A Fatal Arrangement, by Gayle Roper (Annies Fiction, 2020, 214pp HB, $19.99) Review by Skye Anderson

There are romance novels and then there are steamy romance novels. This is neither. 

A Fatal Arrangement is what I call a cozy mystery - it has no graphic violence, and generally no swearing or sex - just a darn good tale.

Cozy mysteries often come in groups (a series). Sometimes they star a dog* or cat, sometimes they center around a bookstore or a yarn shop**, or a bakery with a recipe included, an inn, a geographical location. You name it and I bet there is a mystery series with that theme.

This cozy mystery starts with a death - five years ago - a disappearance, actually. And an empty boat.  But, could it be murder? Grandpa's last diary entry seems to say so but who would murder a grandpa?

A Fatal Arrangement stars a let-go botany professor who worked with the police probably at the University of Washington in Seattle (my alma mater), who takes over her grandmother's florist shop on Orcas Island in Puget Sound (Orcas really is an island there). Her first weekend also features a book signing of famous authors who got their start in a writers' course on the island, a last-minute wedding, poisoned flowers (hence, the title), a break-in, a thumb drive (jump drive), another break-in, a dachshund named Bear, another break-in, and hiding things from the police. 

Oh, and did I mention the cliffhangers at the end of chapters? And the professor whose heart goes pittypatter when the island's handyman appears (or a member of the city's finest). Our budding florist has a lot to learn about small town friendships and to learn the common names of plants and flowers rather than the scientific ones (Genus species) if she wants to keep her new friends, the owner of the local bookstore and the owner of the bakery next door and. . . . 

A Fatal Arrangement will make you want to read more cozy flower mysteries!

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*To Fetch a Thief by Spencer Quinn, but Quinn's are classy tales

**On Skein of Death by Allie Pleiter, a typical cozy mystery

Book Review: The Secret of the Forgotten City (Nancy Drew 52)

The Secret of the Forgotten City, by Carolyn Keene (Grosset & Dunlap, 1947, 208pp HB, $5.99, ages 8-12, #52 of 163 in the series - or possibly 600) Review by Skye Anderson

Women of a certain age grew up with Nancy Drew ('born' in 1930) just as men of a certain age grew up with the earlier Hardy Boys Mysteries (b. 1927). 

At first, Nancy had a blue roadster (a car, usually blue), two best girl friends, and a boy friend in college, Ned. The girls wore dresses and Nancy was so very lucky to be in just the right place at just the right time and to always be able to travel the next day to another part of the country to solve a mystery. She was quite the amateur sleuth (solver of mysteries and crimes). So much so that law enforcement officers often would 'break current day rules' and ask for her interference in solving a crime.

Then-day Nancy (aged 16-18) evolved with the times and went on TV, sported a modern haircut and wardrobe, including pants; her books have even been "shortened" from 25 chapters to 20.

Carolyn Keene, the "author," is actually several authors who were paid to write a formula book - but they loved Nancy and could identify with her which is why she became such an iconic figure in literature - more so than the Dana Girls, Trixie Belden or Sue Barton but just a little bit ahead of Cherry Ames (the nurse)(see end of article).

Some of the Nancy Drew books are amazingly technical in parts, parts that Nancy ends up solving. For example, in The Secret of the Forgotten City, Nancy and friends go on an archeological dig out West in Nevada (but generally the place names are generic) with no experience or training but first, Nancy must decipher some carved stones.

The Forgotten City

In The Forgotten City, Nancy and pals search for gold and as a result, Nancy and Ned almost become fatalities. Almost.

Starting with a theft, and going on to 102-degree days and then too much water, plus a scam, this may be Nancy's most scary mystery yet.

A Play on Words

In The Crooked Banister, Nancy's adventures would be grand entertainment around Halloween. From a moat on fire, to a robot technically ahead of his (her?) time, to poisoned portraits, this tale is almost too weird to believe. And the haunted house belongs to Mr. Banister, of course - the normal one, that is, but gone.

Do you Remember. . . ?

Your first Nancy Drew book? I do. I was 8 and it was a Christmas present. From then on, I was hooked, until I grew up that is.

Oh, and about the dog. . . .

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Book Review: susan, linda, nina & cokie: The Extraordinary Story of the Founding Mothers of NPR (OT)

Susan, Linda, Nina & Cokie: The Extraordinary Story of the Founding Mothers of NPR, by Lisa Napoli* (Abrams, 2021, $28 HB, 352pp) Review by Skye Anderson

Would you read a book with the title Susan? How about Linda? or Susan and Linda? or Nina - does that ring a bell? or Susan and Linda and Nina? I bet you got it at Susan, Linda, Nina and Cokie though! Even if the title looked like this: susan, linda, nina & cokie.

Or, does this little exercise bring you back to "Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice"?

Susan, Linda, Nina and Cokie is the extraordinary story of the "founding mothers" of NPR (National Public Radio)! Susan Stamberg, Linda Wertheimer, Nine Totenberg and Cokie Roberts were on the radio for decades and not just 'on the radio' but on NPR and not just 'on' but helping to birth that iconic piece of oral history.

If you don't recall all four women, that's OK: I only remember three of the names even though I am an avid member of my local public radio station and 'grew up' with all of the founding mothers.

A Long Book of Recent Radio History, Replete with Gossipy History

At 352 pages, this is a long book about four enterprising young women whom we all know and listen to on a daily basis. We invite them into our homes.We may not recognize their faces but know their voices well. 

Author Lisa Napoli deals with everything. Starting with cancer and going on to plagiarism and sexual harassment with a discussion of the financial woes of NPR in 1983. And if, at the end, you still get the four founders mixed up, that's OK, too!

We begin at the beginning with a chapter on the background of each of the women, then how they met over a few years, how hard they worked as the Women's Movement was in its infancy, how little they made (salary-wise) and what they are offered for a speech nowadays. Along the way, the author digresses onto threads of what is happening in the world at the time. All that makes for a fascinating few evenings of reading.

*complete with a timeline

Book Review: The Sit, Down, Come, Heel, Stay and Stand Book (dog training, fun)

The Sit, Down, Come, Heel, Stay and Stand Book, by Claire Arrowsmith (Tfh Publications, $17.95, 28pp, 2008) Review by Skye Anderson

As a scientist I tell my students not to refer to papers written more than five years ago. As a dog trainer I tell my clients not to depend on everything in a book more than five years old. So, what did we here at DogEvals do? Review a book more than five years old! 

I had gone through this book quite a while back and really liked it. Then I took another look at it - today. I still like much of it and will recommend it with some caveats.

The Good

There is a lot to like in The Sit . . . book. A hard cover over a spiral bound book so it lies flat! Each of the six basic behaviors in the title and in the book is covered on facing pages with several steps devoted to how to get the behavior (The Basics). Also included on the two pages are the hand signal, what to do if your dog just doesn't get it (troubleshooting, Overcoming Problems), TIPS, and modifications for smaller dogs. Demo dogs are big and small. Other topics are covered for some of the behaviors and topic names differ.

I like the cardboard pages: this book is meant to be used!

A fold-out achievement chart with steps for each behavior can be torn out from the book. The steps are grouped in threes with award stickers for each three as they are achieved.

A two-page introduction and on the other side of the achievement chart are pages of helpful hints such as using toys instead of treats as a reward, using and fading treat rewards, treat pouches, timing and three golden rules.

The Bad

The pages are not numbered though the book does have a table of contents.

The Ugly

Nothing

There are slight differences between how the author trains and how I train and she may have gradually come over to how I do things as the years have passed but these are minor issues and I would either point them out to a client or simply ignore the differences. For example, the author rewards the dog with a treat plus the phrase, Good Dog, upon completion of a behavior while I would omit the words for a while and then use a one-syllable word. 

Book Review: Shearing Day on the Dean Farm (sheep and a sheepdog, too!)

Shearing Day on the Dean Farm, by Roxanne Dean (Palmetto Publishing, 2024, 26pp PB and HC [$18.99], to age 12) Review by Skye Anderson

A lovely adjunct to the children's book The Yarn Fairy (the previous review) is Shearing Day on the Dean Farm by the prolific* writer Roxanne Dean. We simply love some of the illustrations, like the back cover. Watercolor flowers are especially lovely.

A Sheepdog in Action

Watch Bo the sheepdog fly into action as he guides the sheep into a pen to be sheared. After the shearing, Bo is content to watch over his flock.

The author's grandson gets in on the action, too, as he learns why sheep are sheared: because summer is coming on and sheep will be cooler without an additional six pounds to carry around. Also, it is fortunate that we can use the wool.

Baby Lambs

Baby lambs are seen as they frolic with the newly-shorn sheep and the wool is cleaned, processed, spun and knitted into mittens and scarves and socks.

 Other books by author Roxanne Dean include Sheila the Sheep Goes to the Spa,

The Sheep of Celtic Herd: What are Ewe Thinking?

and dog books, Lenny the Bulldog Goes to the Beach: The Bully on the Beach 

and Junior and Bobo, the Beach Bulldogs - Let Sleeping Dogs Lie.