Madeline Finn and the Library Dog

Written by Lisa Papp

Narrated by Jill Frutkin

Madeline Finn DOES NOT like to read. But maybe Bonnie the Library Dog can change her mind. Madeline Finn DOES NOT like to read. Not books. Not magazines. Not even the menu on the ice cream truck. But Madeline Finn DOES want a gold star from her teacher. Stars are for good readers. Stars are for understanding words. And saying them out loud. Fortunately, Madeline Finn meets Bonnie, a library dog. Reading out loud to Bonnie isn't so bad. When Madeline Finn gets stuck, Bonnie doesn't mind. Madeline Finn can pet her until she figures the word out. As it turns out, it's fun to read when you're not afraid of making mistakes. Bonnie teaches Madeline Finn that it's okay to go slow. And to keep trying. Just like the sticker says. Author bio: Lisa Papp grew up telling stories. With a notebook full of sketches, her early tales featured her cat, stuffed animals, and other nature-y things. Today, Lisa is still making up stories and painting pictures, only now, they fill the pages of children's books. She has received awards for both her writing and illustration, including a 2011 NAPPA Honor Award, 2012 Storytelling Award, and the 2013 PA Keystone to Reading Award. When not in her studio, she can be found in her garden chatting with birds, marveling at bees, and dreaming of her next literary adventure. Lisa lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Robert, also an artist, and three wildly creative cats-whom she does read to.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jun 16, 2017
• ISBN: 9781501972416

[kaethe_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Awwwwwww! I want to be a library dog!

Free public libraries are one of the best things in modern life and dogs appearing publicly as therapy animals is the best thing about Fridays at the hospital. One just can't help feeling better about everything when you see everyone being so pleased to see them.

So of course I teared up, just a little. Happy tears.

Library copy

[cheryl_in_cc_nv · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Awfully earnest, almost preachy. But warm & lovely, too. And absolutely successful. In fact, tears literally formed in my eyes when I saw *how* the dog was helping the girl, and I didn't mind that it was predictable. The bonus ending was a surprise to me, too, so I do give the book a solid four stars and I do recommend it.

[whisper1_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Madeline Finn struggles with the ability to read out loud. Self conscious, she states "I do NOT like to read!" She especially does not like to read out loud. While her teacher encourages her to continue to keep trying, Madeline, simply lacks the courage to read in front of others without making a mistake.

She had trouble figuring the words, and the sentences get stuck in her mouth. She continues to be self conscious, especially when others in the class make fun of her courage when she makes a mistake. Those in the class who can read out loud are given a sticker that looks like a star.

While she struggles in class, her librarian Mrs. Dimple makes Madeline happy and tries to provide courage to Madeline. Saturday becomes a special day when Mrs. Dimple tells her she has something special to see, Taking her to a special room where Bonnie the library dog listens to Madeline.

The librarian asks Madeline to read a book to Bonnie. Bonnie is a wonderful dog who listens and when Madeline makes a mistake, Bonnie is not like others in that she does not giggle and make fun of Madeline. Instead, Bonnies big, loving eyes look at Madeline and places her large paw in Madeline's lap.

Soon, Madeline and Bonnie read together every Saturday. Then when Monday occurs, while Madeline is nervous, she thinks of the courage Bonnie gives her, and she doesn't mess up one single word.

Finally, Madeline receives the long-awaited star. The next Saturday, Mrs. Dimple takes Madeline in a special room where Bonnie has a surprise of showing beautiful white puppies to Madeline who reads to them every Saturday, giving her the courage she previously lacked.

Bonnie is a wonderful listener, and now Madeline is a wonderful reader.

[robinsonstef · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Beautiful illustrations! Reading aloud can be hard for many kids, so this is a book that kids can relate to for sure. Programs that have kids read to animals or stuffed animals can help make a difference. A sweet story.

[weeturtle · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A cute story with cute illustrations, and a large and fluffy white dog. The book focuses on compassion and patience for those who struggle with reading, and introduces the library therapy dog. These programs are genuine and can help people who have difficulty reading and are embarrassed or afraid to seek help from people.

Madeline is self-conscious about her reading, and the library dog helps her, with time, to finally pass her reading skills in her classroom, and get her gold star.

I'm not sure how the book fares as a story for a child who might not be in the same situation, but it can encourage the same feelings of patience and compassion for peers who are.

[carlathelibrarian · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[bookishleigh · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was one of our bedtime stories for today and it was absolutely wonderful. (I accidentally chopped the authors name while taking the photo so my apologies to Ms. Papp.) The illustrations in this book have a both nostalgic and dreamlike and nothing short of gorgeous. Even more importantly though is the message provided for children, there, parents, teachers, or any other adult given the important responsibility of helping a child learn and hopefully love to read. Ms. Papp uses her gift for illustration and her simple but insightful storytelling to address the importance of helping children learn to read while making them feel comfortable and finding ways to ease the frustrations that might arise as they learn. In her book Ms. Papp tells the story of a little girl named Madeline who desperately wants to improve her reading so she can get rewarded at school as well as not be embarrassed by stumbling her words in front of her peers. With the help of her local library and their doggy reading program and her reading companion, Bonnie, she is able to improve her reading skills and feel more comfortable reading allowed.
Studies have shown that these programs truly to help children in the same way that Madeline receives help. Dogs are amazing creatures and can help people in all kinds of amazing ways. Canine assisted reading programs can help children beat the frustration in reading that can lead to avoiding books and instead increase chances for a life long love of reading

[lycomayflower · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Picked up this book for the nieces but may have to put it aside for another year as I'm not sure either of them is old enough yet for this one to land. It's about a little girl having trouble learning to read who finds that hard work and finding an audience that doesn't mind if she makes a mistake lead to success. Lovely illustrations. Text a little ho hum. Nice message.

[abigailadams26 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A young girl with difficulty reading, Madeline Finn longed for one of the stars her teacher would give out for in-class performance, rather than one of the 'keep-trying' hearts she always seemed to get instead. When her mother takes her to the library after a particularly trying week, Madeline Finn meets Bonnie, a very special canine who is part of their read-to-a-dog program. With this patient and understanding audience, Madeline Finn slowly builds her confidence, eventually managing to read an entire page in class, and earn that coveted star! When she returns to the library, she discovers that Bonnie too has a surprise...

Having only recently become aware of the Reading Therapy Dog programs that have sprung up in libraries and schools around the country - we recently hosted a picture-book event at work that involved reading dogs - I was delighted to come across Lisa Papp's Madeline Finn and the Library Dog. Featuring an engaging young heroine with believable grade-school problems and absolutely adorable artwork, it is sure to be a hit with children who are struggling with their own reading, or who just love dogs. Bonnie makes such an appealing audience for Madeline Finn in the story, that I found myself wishing that I had a dog to read to myself!