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Be Willing To Try
Love is Golden follows a golden doodle who works as a therapy dog and teaches his friends what therapy dogs and service dogs do. What was the inspiration for your story?
The inspiration came from my sister’s dogs. She was taking Ted to therapy dog training classes, while his little sister Rosie had to stay home. This made me think about the big brother, little sister dynamic. I thought it would be fun and a little different to tell the story from the dogs’ perspective. At the time, I was also teaching at a high school where therapy dogs would visit, and I saw firsthand how much joy and comfort they brought to students. That experience inspired me to write a cute story that also shares an important message about never giving up.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
Overall, I wanted this book to focus on empathy, compassion, and resilience. I hope kids come away knowing that they can do anything if they’re willing to try. Sometimes one thing doesn’t work out, and that’s okay, you just try something else. I’m hoping the book will encourage kids to think about the many ways they can be helpful and to recognize the unique talents that make them who they are.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Nomrota Saha?
I found Nomrota on Fiverr.com. She lives in India and is an aspiring art student. The process was amazing! I shared my manuscript, she would share the line drawings, the flat versions and then the final versions of each page. It was a really nice collaboration, in which she was able to take my words and make them come to life through the images.
Will this novel be the start of a series or are you working on a different story?
I started with “We Love Nacho” and then “Nacho Loves Salsa” and then I wrote this book. It wasn’t meant to be a series but the characters carry throughout. This book mainly features the dogs, with an appearance of my nephews, but Nacho is seen throughout all of the books. I have a few more ideas in mind. I’d love to make this book bilingual, as I went back and did with my first two books, and I’m currently working on the companion, “Love is Golden Coloring and Activity Book”. What comes after that, we shall see!
Author Website
Love is Golden: Lessons From a Therapy Dog
This picture book tells the story of Ted, a golden doodle who works as a therapy dog, and his furry friends Rosie and Nacho. Ted explains that being a therapy dog takes more than being cute; it takes training and a special badge. Rosie and Nacho want to help too, so they learn about what therapy dogs and service dogs do with the help of Macho, their teacher. Along the way, they discover that helping others and giving love are what really matter. It’s a warm, gentle story about friendship, kindness, and working hard to make a difference.
I have to say, I really loved the heart behind this children’s book. The writing feels simple but genuine, just like a conversation you’d have with a kid while cuddling on the couch. The dogs have real personalities, and their banter made me smile more than once. There’s this balance between humor and sincerity that keeps it from feeling overly sweet. I liked how the story slipped in lessons about patience, empathy, and teamwork without sounding preachy. It’s the kind of kids’ book that reminds you that love isn’t just a feeling, it’s something you do.
The ideas in the book hit me in that quiet way that good children’s books often do. The message about “LOVE being golden” feels so pure and honest. And the addition of real-world information about therapy dogs gives it a nice educational touch. I also liked the bit about “if one thing doesn’t work, try something else.” That’s a powerful little line for kids, and honestly for grown-ups too. The illustrations are bright and full of personality, making each page feel alive.
I’d recommend Love is Golden for kids who love dogs, teachers who read stories about kindness, or any family that wants a bedtime book with heart. It’s sweet, it’s light, and it leaves you smiling. I finished it thinking the world could use a few more Teds, Rosies, and Nachos, and maybe a few more people who believe that love really is golden.
Pages: 40 | ASIN : B0D99TDMVH
LITERARY TITAN 