Please welcome my guest author today, Maria Gianferrari, with her newest picture book, Operation Rescue Dog. Her book made me want to immediately rescue a dog. We actually tried to do that when we were in the market for a puppy, but it didn’t work out. We ended up with a Golden Retriever instead. But the idea of supporting rescue dogs resonates with us.
My son, for his 10th birthday party, had a joint birthday party with his best friend. Instead of gifts, they asked for dog toys and collars from a local dog shelter. It was the highlight of their birthdays to make the delivery and meet the dogs they helped. I think Maria Gianferrari would approve!
Operation Rescue Dog by Maria Gianferrari, illustrated by Luisa Uribe
Alma’s mami is in Iraq and her abuela has a great idea! They will get a rescue dog the color of mami’s eyes. As they drive to the rescue dog truck meet up, Alma and abuela’s car gets a flat tire. The rescue dog truck also has a little problem when one of the dogs, Lulu, runs off into the cornfields. Both problems get fixed and when Lulu meets Alma and abuela, it’s clear that this is a forever home. This is such a lovely and heartwarming story to inspire readers to consider a rescue dog for their next pet. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
We are giving away a signed and inscribed copy of Operation Rescue Dog. To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter at the bottom.
p.s. I found a few more rescue animal books!
Millie, Daisy, and the Scary Storm (Life in the Doghouse #3) by Danny, Danta, Ron Robertshaw, and Crystal Velasquez, illustrated by Lauren Catrinella
Review by Ms. Yingling Reads:
“To young readers, Hurricane Katrina was a very long time ago, yet there are still storms that result in many dogs ending up in rescues in other states…Friendship is an appealing topic, whether it is about human or canine friendships, and I loved how Millie and Daisy supported each other even though they had different goals.” [chapter book, ages 7 and up]
Home Sweet Forever Home by Rachele Alpine, illustrated by Addy Rivera Sonda
Review by Ms. Yingling Reads:
“Lauren is a very energetic character who does not let other people get in the way of getting things done! She and her friends take their tasks seriously, even trying to get their teacher to adopt a pet (in a really charming scene where the teacher thinks they are trying to set her up with a boyfriend!). I love the energy and the fact that they don’t shy away from working hard. Lauren’s family, with her stepfather and stepbrother, seemed nicely realistic. Her uncle who owns the cupcake shop is gay, and the friends have diverse backgrounds. I really liked the short biographies, and am looking forward to the next book of the four-book series, which brings in art. Fans of Coco Simon’s different series will like the Invincible Girls and their club.” [chapter book, ages 7 and up]
Pawcasso by Remy Lai
Review by Ms. Yingling Reads:
“Jo’s world is an idyllic one few of us get to experience– shops within walking distance that include a grocery, ice cream store, and book store; children allowed to roam freely and run their father’s dog grooming business in an emergency; public transportation; and lots of children hanging about having adventures. Seeing the community tussle over leashes vs. no leashes was compelling, and it was easy to believe that people thought Pawcasso belonged to Jo. The family problems add an additional layer of interest. Brightly colored illustrations in an appealing style will appeal to fans of Telgemeier, Jamieson, and Scrivan.” [middle grade, ages 8 and up]
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I’m celebrating the release of my new book, Operation Rescue Dog, illustrated by Luisa Uribe and published by Little Bee Books with a GIVEAWAY! Dog rescue is a topic near and dear to my heart, and the book is dedicated to my rescue dog, Becca as well as to the rescue community tirelessly devoted to saving dogs from neglect, abuse, cruelty and over-breeding to find them their “furever” homes. Rescue dogs rescue us too!
The story is loosely based on Becca’s own rescue story: dumped near a highway in Tennessee, her subsequent rescue by dog lovers, and eventual transport aboard a truck bound for New England so that we could adopt her.
Here’s the photo on Petfinder that made me fall in love with then six-month-old Becca.
And here she is in January on her 12th birthday.
Rescue rocks!!
Five New Rescue Dog Books
Here are five new titles that feature rescue and shelter dogs who find purpose and their new homes:
1. Rescue and Jessica by Jessica Kenskey & Patrick Downes, illustrated by Scott Magoon
A touching tale based on Jessica’s true story as a survivor of the Boston Marathon bombing, and her friendship with her service dog, Rescue. In the end, it’s a sweet story of mutual rescue. [picture book, ages 5 and up]
2. Can I Be Your Dog by Troy Cummings
Full of funny-punny wordplay and told in letters, lonely Arfy writes to the residents of Butternut Street in search of his home. His requests are denied again and again until he receives a surprise letter of his own. [picture book, ages 3 and up]
3. Sterling the Best Fork Dog Ever by Aidan Cassie
When a homeless dog named Sterling discovers that the Butlery Cutlery Company is shipping to all the best homes, Sterling is determined to be the best fork ever. But when his new family doesn’t seem to need forks he tries to be a whisk, rolling pin, and even a stick. Soon he discovers that all he needs to be is himself (or sometimes a pillow). [picture book, ages 3 and up]
4. Good Dog by Cori Doerrfeld
Told in spare text and bold lines, a stray dog sees a girl and falls in love. He follows her across town: lost, lonely, scared, but then hopeful, helpful, and loyal… all the way home. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
5. Found Dogs by Erica Sirotich
A rhythmic, rhyming book that counts shelter dogs 1-10, then 10-1 as all are adopted, newly “found” dogs. [picture book, ages 2 and up]
Plus a slightly older bonus favorite:
Little Dog, Lost by Mônica Carnesi
Based on the true rescue story of a dog found floating on an ice floe in the Baltic Sea off the coast of Poland, and its daring rescue by a scientific research vessel when all other rescue attempts fail. “Baltic” becomes a new crew member in this heartwarming tale. [picture book, ages 3 and up]
I am pawsitively grateful to Mia Wenjen for featuring Operation Rescue Dog and these pawsome picture books here.
Signed Copy of Operation Rescue Dog GIVEAWAY!
Enter the giveaway for a chance to get your own signed and dedicated copy of the book! (Sorry—US residents only). To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter at the bottom
And remember: adopt, don’t shop! A rescue animal is waiting for you!
Maria Gianferrari’s favorite pastime is searching for perching red-tailed hawks while driving down the highway. When she’s not driving, she loves watching birdcams. Her favorite feathered stars are Cornell hawk Big Red and her late mate, Ezra, who together raised fifteen chicks since they began nesting in 2012. Maria is also the author of Hello Goodbye Dog and Coyote Moon, both published by Roaring Brook Press as well as the Penny & Jelly Books (HMH), Officer Katz & Houndini (Aladdin), Terrific Tongues (Boyds Mills Press), and the forthcoming Operation Rescue Dog (Little Bee). She lives in Virginia with her scientist husband, artist daughter, and rescue dog, Becca. Visit her at mariagianferrari.com, on Facebook, or Instagram.
To examine any book more closely at Amazon, please click on image of book.
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p.s. Related posts:
Books for Kids to Celebrate Adopt a Shelter Pet Day
Animal Friendship Picture Books
Celebrate Tree Picture Books for Earth Day
Favorite Owl Children’s Books & Whoo-ku Haiku
Nonfiction Picture Books About Nature
Top 10 STEM Bird Books for Bird-Watching Kids
Top 10 STEM Expository Nonfiction Picture Books
Where Are the Wheelchairs in Children’s Books?
Top 10 Favorite Nature Picture Books
Animal Friendship Picture Books
Nature is All Around Us! Best Nonfiction Picture Books for Kids
Follow PragmaticMom’s board Multicultural Books for Kids on Pinterest.
Follow PragmaticMom’s board Children’s Book Activities on Pinterest.
My books:
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
- Starred review from School Library Journal
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award longlist
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Thank you for letting me gush about all things dog here, Mia!!
Happy tails!!
I love that you support rescue dogs Maria! What a great cause!
All these books look great.
My favorite dog book when I was a kid was Harry the Dirty Dog. One of my favorite novels is The Art of Racing in the Rain which has an awesome dog character.
Hallo, Linda!! Wie geht’s?
I loved Harry the Dirty Dog as a child too! All the books in that series!
And another to add: Margarita Engle’s A Dog Named Haku: A Holiday Story from Nepal. I have not yet read it, but I’m sure I’ll like it! I’ve had it on request at my library, and I did not receive it before I had to write the post.
I love Hello Goodbye Dog, Pig and Pug, and Ragweed’s Farmdog Handbook.
I LOVE Ragweed too, Danielle!! Such a hilarious book & the illustrations are so vibrant!
And a true dog voice. Treats are always a priority.
My dog would agree! 🙂
I’ll have to look for Ragweed.
Great list! Thanks for sharing Danielle!
Can’t wait to read any and all rescue dog books to my rescued pooches, Bosco Bear and Rosy Wagger (and my rescued bunnies and chin)! I have shelves of dog books for kids of all ages–especially love Lassie Come Home and A Day, A Dog–wordless and it still slays me.
I don’t know A Day, A Dog, Nancy–I’ll have to look for that one. The one that kills me is STAY! I weep every time I read it (and even when I think of it, since my girl is a senior now). Rescue rocks!!
Those are both new to me!
Love that your rescue dogs get to hear about other rescue dogs! Every dog should see itself in a book! 🙂
I am in love with Martha Speaks. My students adore it!
Hello Jen!! It’s pretty fun to read aloud too :).
It’s such a fun series! Thanks for sharing Jennifer! I’m glad that the students love it too!
There is a Little Golden Book, where Santa Brought a Puppy to Polly. When young was always one of my fav Christmas Stories.
I’m not familiar with that one, Vera–will have to look for it. Thanks for the rec!
Thanks for sharing this lovely puppy classic Vera!
What a great collection of books about rescue dogs. I haven’t seen any of these titles before. Thanks!
Hi Patricia! I hope you will enjoy them!
I’m looking forward to your reviews on rescue dogs Pat on Children’s Books Heal!
I loved the book Ol Yeller growing up
Could not read that without bawling!
I loved that book too! Thanks for sharing Linda!
I’ve read most of these dog books, but I’m excited for Maria’s latest picture book!
I hope that you’ll like it, Susan :)!
Hi Susan,
I think this one and Hello Good Bye Dog are my two favorites of hers so far, but it’s hard to choose!
We like Clifford and Spot.
Such great classics. We are huge fans too. My middle daughter loved the Spot series so much in first grade.
my grandson likes Clifford the Big Red Dog books
We are huge fans of Clifford the Big Red Dog too! I grew up with these books and my kids also were able to watch the book series as a cartoon.
I like the Biscuit the dog series.
My middle daughter’s favorite series when she was younger. It’s such a sweet series. It’s probably why we now have a Golden Retriever! 🙂
Two rescue dogs have made their way into my heart: Sparky, our gorgeous Dalmatian and our daughter’s “little brother,” and the full-of-personality Tucker, a Treeing Walker Coonhound who keeps us going…both in desperate need of homes, both beloved. Share Maria’s book with those you love!
How wonderful that you rescued two dogs! They are so lucky to have found their forever home with you Lisa!
I’ve loved the Fenway and Hattie series! Fenway reminds me of my own dog! I’ve also loved Rescue & Jessica and Sterling…such sweet books with beautiful messages. Thanks for the chance!
Thanks for entering Rebecca and for your wonderful book recs!
My favorite books about dogs are Old Yeller, Marley & Me, and A Dog’s Purpose.
Great book recs! Thanks so much Nicole!
I have always liked the Clifford books
Hi Kathy,
They were a favorite series of mine when I was young.
The Clifford books are my favorite!
Hi Brian,
We love Clifford books too!