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Eye to Eye, Heart to Heart
In Eye to Eye, Heart to Heart, author Pam Pech gracefully narrates the poignant tale of Gabbi, a homeless dog whose life is marked by hardship and loneliness. From a raw existence on the streets, picking up scraps of food, to a life confined within a cage, Gabbi’s journey resonates with heartbreaking reality. Often unfairly labeled as a “bad dog,” Gabbi’s yearning for understanding and a place to call home is a testament to her enduring spirit.
Parallel to Gabbi’s narrative is the story of Ben, a man incarcerated due to past missteps. Yet beneath the societal label of a prisoner beats a heart filled with kindness and goodness. When he learns about the imminent Pups on Parole project, Ben’s aspiration to become a trainer adds an invigorating dimension to his tale. The narrative deftly poses the intriguing question: What will unfold when Gabbi and Ben cross paths?
Pech’s moving story is a metaphor for the universal human condition, underscoring our imperfections and the innate need for love and connection. The story is rooted in the real-life Pups on Parole program in Nevada, where the remarkable alliance between prisoners and dogs was forged–an alliance that significantly benefits both parties. The initiative deserves praise for its innovative approach toward fostering companionship and a sense of purpose among inmates.
Embedded within this narrative are valuable life lessons that resonate on multiple levels. First and foremost is the acknowledgment that love and kindness are essential to all living beings, including our animal companions. Gabbi symbolizes countless neglected street dogs who are spurned rather than rehabilitated. Pech’s storytelling instills awareness about the humane treatment of pets and emphasizes the deleterious effects of demeaning labels on individuals.
Joan Zander Millard’s splendid illustrations enhance this narrative, breathing life into the characters and effectively capturing their emotions. The development of the characters is meticulous and impressive, resulting in a narrative that is engaging, educational, and easily accessible.
Eye to Eye, Heart to Heart, by Pam Pech, is an exceptional book with incredible depth. It captivates with its striking visuals and enlightening storyline. As a perfect fusion of entertainment and education, it is an excellent picture book for children and young adults.
Pages: 82 | ASIN: B0CD33FMGT
Responsibility of Pet Ownership
The Mystery of the Ball Python follows a snake-loving girl who discovers a ball python at a construction site and uses this experience to help educate her friends about snakes. What was the inspiration for your story?
Snakes are often misidentified and misunderstood, and frankly, I used to be afraid of them. The more I learned about snakes including how to identify the various local species, the less fearful I became. I got the idea for the series when my daughter and I went exploring a creek with friends, and we discovered several nonvenomous water snakes that a Snake ID group helped confirm. Seeing the girls so curious was a huge inspiration as was the content covered in the Snake ID group. Given the popularity of ball pythons as pets (and how they are occasionally found out in the wild due to escaping or being dumped), I knew I wanted to write a story centered around one.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
In The Mystery of the Ball Python, I especially wanted to write about the responsibility of pet ownership. I’m thankful a snake expert reviewed the story to make sure it addresses the proper care and keeping of ball pythons in particular.
When researching ball pythons for this story, what was the most interesting fact you discovered?
Goodness, there are so many interesting facts, though I was most surprised to learn that ball pythons can have, umm, loud flatus.
What is the next book with Naomi that you are working on, and when will it be available?
Naomi Nash: The Drama Noodle was recently released. Naomi, Emma, and Taylor are heading to drama camp, but the drama doesn’t stay at camp. Word is spreading about the snake-saving club, and when a local news crew asks to interview the club, things grow tense. Naomi wants to teach people more about snakes, but she’s not the only one who longs for a moment of fame. During the interview, things go from bad to worse. Can Naomi salvage the interview, her drama camp performance, and the club?
I hope to write more books in the series in the near future!
Author Links: Twitter | Facebook | Website
My Sister Wants an Elephant
My Sister Wants an Elephant follows two siblings who fall in love with animals. Randy adores llamas, especially a soft and gentle one named Timba, and young Jerica adores elephants. They beg and plead with their mother to get them these animals as pets, but there is just no room for them. The siblings prepare their best pout and get ready for one last attempt to convince their mother, but just then their mom comes up with a compromise.
This is a humorous and educational children’s book that follows two kids who are persistent and follow their dreams. This book does a fantastic job of showing how, when you are passionate about something, you have to come up with a plan to accomplish your goals. Randy is a lively character and the story is told from his point of view. This adds a relatable angle to the book as most kids will be able to relate to his thoughts and will find his reactions entertaining.
I thought this story was going to end with the children getting their animals. Well, they do, but not in the way that I expected, and it was fantastic. Their mother comes up with a crafty compromise that fulfills all their needs. It was surprising but sensible, and I think this is an important lesson to teach children; to come up with sensible solutions to problems.
My Sister Wants an Elephant tells a true story in a way that is a bit whimsical and fun but still conveys a useful message to young readers. This is perfect for readers in kindergarten through third grade as the words are easy to read. Elementary school children will love reading this down-to-earth and charming picture book.
Pages: 35 | ASIN: B0BR4J4S1H
Beatific
Jada and Lilly are playing outside when they find a little kitten. They want to take it home, but Jada’s mom tells them that they must first call the animal shelter to ensure the cat doesn’t already belong to someone. Jada’s mom says that they can adopt the kitten if no one claims it, but warns that owning a cat takes a lot of time and love. Jada does her best to learn everything she can about owning a kitten and hopes the day will come for her to adopt that happy little kitten.
This is a wonderful children’s book that will educate young readers and show them what it takes to be a pet owner. There is a lot of things to consider and this book does a great job of showing the various things that kids will need to think about before adopting a kitten. I enjoyed seeing how Jada was so determined to learn about caring for kittens. This will inspire young readers to do their own research and find out what it takes.
If you are a parent that wants to teach your child about adopting a pet then this picture book will be a great start as it will inspire lots of conversations about the subject. Beatific is a fun and educational book that will be a wonderful resource at animal shelters or for any parent or teacher that wants to educate their children.
Pages: 26 | ASIN: B085G83G77
Incredible Outcomes
The Dog Who Wanted to be a Bird follows the incredibly tragic life of Dog, who desperately wanted to be free to experience life. What was the inspiration for this fable?
In all walks of life, there is a tremendous drive to have unlimited choices in which direction one may choose. Humankind and the animal kingdom all strive for this freedom of choice to direct their own respective lives. The character of ‘Dog’ was a simple choice due to the fact that man and their canine companions are presently carrying on with thousands of years of evolution together; a symbiosis. Canines -evolved from wolves- have been able to develop a deep understanding of human behavior through millennia of observations and trained behavior. Likewise humankind has utilized this relationship as a form of protection and companionship that has proven beneficial mutually.
The Corvids (Crow, Jay & Magpie); having a higher intelligence than canines, coupled with tool making capability are far less understood due to the lack of symbiosis that canines experience. Ornithologists and the science community are researching these brainy-box birds presently, with rather incredible outcomes.
What were the morals you were trying to capture while creating your characters?
The barter system is an antiquated method of the past. The conundrum facing Dog and her feathered friends was the concept of small rectangular pieces of paper ($money) that humankind uses to purchase objects such as automobiles, food and all types of material wealth. This puzzle (Capitalism) was finally solved by Crow as he explains to Dog-
“We see that these small papers are just a symbol of power. More paper equals more power. Men seek other likeminded men who also possess lots of paper. These become men of power. These men of power make the rules for the nation of their kind. The people with fewer or no pieces of paper are much more numerous by far, and they suffer as a consequence.”
ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.) These are a couple of the multitude of organizations that protect animal rights. Many abuses exist worldwide that are too horrible to list here. On the other hand, as many of us have observed, there are pets who receive preferential treatment from doting owners who lavish top veterinary care, premium food and living conditions that surpasses at times that of many of their human companions. This is a reality.
The Corvids insight into how the original occupiers in North America, who moved into their pristine wilderness were much more respectful of their precious water, land and resources. Especially their reverence to all animal life. The new European usurpers who traveled across the great sea were witnessed exhausting the land of its wealth and wildlife. This sad truth exists to this day.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
For some satire may be a hard concept to grasp. The themes to this novelette include friendship, religion, racism and faith expressed through the art of storytelling.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
GEEZERVILLE- What Do I Do Now?
This novel (Dramatic Comedy), displays the life of a curmudgeonly ol’ geezer residing in a trailer park, who is not exactly who he seems to be…?
Dog’s new life is spent in isolation in a remote area. Dog’s only interaction in her bitter, lonely existence is with three members of the Corvid family; Crow, Jay and Magpie whom she befriends. Through oral history the birds educate Dog on mankind’s advent into the New World, describing how the indigenous occupiers were eventually usurped by the invasion of another, new, two legged species from across the great sea. Dog eventually becomes enlightened to the political intrigue, rivalry and jealousies that exist between her feathered friends who are related to one another.
Dog and her friends of flight weave a story of their insights and observations into the species human, on co-existence, faith and the essence of life.
Karl’s Diary: It’s a Dog’s Life
Any animal lover will tell you without hesitation- pets are indeed a part of the family. They bring love, joy, entertainment, and sometimes even lifesaving companionship to people’s lives each and every day. And if they can do that for us, imagine what we do for them, especially rescue animals. To go from uncertainty on the streets or in a shelter, to a loving, safe home with regular food and warmth, rescues must certainly appreciate us even if they can’t exactly express it in words. But what if they could? What if our fur babies could keep a record of their thoughts for us to read?
In Karl’s Diary: It’s a Dog’s Life author Sharon Winters imagines just a scenario, detailing the life of Karl, an adopted boykin Spaniel, as he navigates life in his new home. His life is not exotic, but full of everything a dog could want, most importantly an abundant amount of love and an abundant amount of food. Anyone who’s ever had a dog won’t be shocked by Karl’s focus on food as he details his days, recalling his own meals as well as those of his humans. It’s clearly a large part of his happiness! However, Karl knows without a doubt that the love he’s given on a daily basis is the most important part of his life and is appreciated consistently throughout the book. Winters gives Karl his own voice and personality that is easy to recognize in the pets in our own lives. One of the most masterful tools she uses to truly make him come to life is simplicity. We know a dog’s needs are simple- it stands to reason that their thoughts, if we could hear them, would be as well, and Winters never tries to make Karl or his life more complicated than it needs to be. It gives the story a level of authenticity that adds to its enjoyment.
It’s so easy to forget sometimes the impact we have on the animals in our lives, but Karl’s Diary tells his story in a way that helps drive the point home without resorting to saccharine soaked oversentimentality. Karl is every pet that has ever held a place in our hearts, reminding us of how easy it can be to change the life of an animal when given the chance. “To the world you are one person, but for one person, you are the world” is a quote that aptly sums up this story.
Pages: 81 | ASIN: B0B99NJXZL
LITERARY TITAN 