This is a sweet story about how helpful therapy dogs can be in helping children learn to read.

This is SUCH a wonderfully touching story and one that will resonate with many students! I love the lesson of patience and perseverance, as well as that of the power of unconditional love and acceptance that this book teaches. All children need to feel that they belong, that they have a safe space in which to make mistakes, learn, and grow. It is amazing what can be accomplished when we come to believe in ourselves. This is what we need - more good listeners and less judgement.

"Madeline Finn and the Library Dog" is beautifully written and illustrated. I will definitely be purchasing this title for my classroom and encouraging others to do so, as well! I have no doubt that this book will soon become a much beloved favourite of countless educators! I look forward to reading more from Lisa Papp! Brava!

Wonderful book!

Book Review: Madeline Finn and the Library Dog by Lisa Papp | vexingcircumstance https://vexingcircumstance.wordpress.com/2016/06/12/book-review-madeline-finn-and-the-library-dog-by-lisa-papp/

A wonderful story about a girl, Madeline Finn, who doesn't like to read because she doesn't read well. She has never gotten a star at school, just hearts that say keep trying. She has just about given up until she gets to read to a dog at the library. Bonnie the dog provided just what Madeline needed, a good listener with no judgement. She gave her the time she needed to practice reading without pressure as well as the time to sound out her words and think about the story. I love how this story illustrates the greatness of the library dog program. This book also teaches patience and perseverance, as well as the power of unconditional love and acceptance to the children that hear this story. Everyone, especially children, need to feel that they have a safe space where it is okay to make mistakes, learn, and grow. It is amazing what can be accomplished when you believe in yourself. I wish more children had the opportunity to participate in this type of a program. Not only is this a lovely story, but the illustrations are wonderful. They are full page, engaging, colourful and emotional. Children will be drawn to them because they show exactly what they would be feeling at those time.

This book should be read to all beginning readers to build confidence as well as show strong readers how their actions can affect others. A necessary addition to all primary class libraries, schools and family libraries.

Having been involved in the elementary school system for many years as a teacher, librarian, drama teacher, special education teacher and principal I could so relate to kids who have difficulty reading. The agony and pain that they experience is heart wrenching and I did everything that I could to build success into their reading journey. Today's book is a beautiful, positive message how one little girl, Madeline, overcame her struggles and finally learned to make reading her friend.

"Madeline Finn does not like to read.
Not books.
Not magazines, Not even the menu on the ice cream truck."

Her heart's desire is to obtain that coveted gold star that rewards kids for accurately reading words outloud and especially for understanding those words that she reads.

She tries and tries but reading is hard and she finds the words and ideas intimidating and frustrating. One day when she goes to the library she meets the most gentle and loving reading buddy a girl could ever want. She is introduced to Bonnie, a kind and patient library dog. Bonnie attentively lays beside Madeline and doesn't interrupt, judge or make Madeline feel anxious when the words she is reading outloud take some time to dicipher. No pressure is applied from her buddy so Madeline can relax and practice her reading worry-free.

Kid's need to know that it's fine to make mistakes (we all do) and oftentimes it takes time and practice to grasp a new skill. Those squiggly lines on the page can magically make sense when they are lovingly taught. I know of many schools and libraries who use this fabulous canine programme for kids (and some adults too) and the results are truly amazing.

The illustrations in the book are delightful. They are charged with emotion and are rendered full page, bursting with colour. They perfectly connect the feelings of Madeline to the reader visually and that makes a very powerful statement.

This book would be wonderful to read to beginning readers to help them build confidence in their reading skills and let them know that comprehensive reading is attainable and that it can be fun. I highly recommend this book.

5 STARS

Madeline Finn is the narrator in this story, telling of how much she does NOT like to read and her struggle of reading aloud. So many children have trouble reading aloud, which makes Lisa Papp's character so easily relatable to the reader from the very first page, and comforts any young reader who may or may not be doing through the same at the moment. I think everyone can relate to the embarrassment of reading aloud and getting a word wrong, and Madeline's voice accurately depicts her feelings and emotions in each context. The character's personality is brought forth even more through the illustrations (done by Lisa Papp herself) which are soft in color, but vivid in detail and facial expressions - I especially loved looking at all of the other classmates in the backgrounds. The illustrations brought the story alive by complimenting the text perfectly. On each page there was a large, page-wide background illustration that (I felt) depicted the main point or topic of each page, with other smaller illustrations in places to explain smaller snippets of text (or supporting topics) as well. This book made me smile, and will be one I come back to several times, I'm sure.