Baker, M. (2016). A Home for Rosie. Gypsy Publications.
Children's Picture Book / Pets / Teachable Moments
I gave this book 4 of 5 Stars
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About the Book: Rosie is an older dog who loves her home and her owner, Paul. She enjoys playing and taking walks with him. One day, Paul gets very sick and can't take her on a walk. He goes away in a big white van with flashing lights...and never returns. Rosie is taken to a shelter. Day after day, she waits for Paul to return and watches as brown dogs, white dogs, puppies and kittens are adopted. Won't anyone take Rosie home?
This story is inspired by the millions of older and special needs pets who are overlooked at adoption time.
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Hall Ways Review: It is always such a pleasure to read and review one of Misty Baker's books, and A Home for Rosie is no exception. Truly, I was on the verge of tears while reading this story; it is so painful at times! Baker does an excellent job of putting the reader into Rosie's shoes and conveying Rosie's confusion -- and ultimately her despair and depression. Accompanied by the sweet, expressive illustrations by Kattarina Storost, specific emotions are definitely conveyed and heartstrings are pulled. A lot.
If other readers are like me, they will finish this book and want to go out and adopt a senior pet right away. (Parents, be prepared!) Perhaps because I have a senior animal myself (a nearly fifteen-year-old Jack Russell terrier), the story was even more heart-wrenching as I imagined our poor dog being left like Rosie. To that end, readers will enjoy and find comfort in the real-life pet adoption stories included at the end of the book.
Though typically I would recommend a picture book like this for the youngest readers, some of the pages are text heavy and the topic is just heavy for the youngest and most sensitive readers. The book is probably best read with an adult alongside the young reader, and an adult prepared to explain the Rainbow Bridge for both humans and pets. There are a few errors with punctuation and capitalization, but the errors are nothing that will interfere with the readers' enjoyment of the book or likely register with the intended audience.
A Home for Rosie is a great reminder that older animals can make wonderful pets. The messages that pets aren't disposable, that pet ownership is a real commitment, and that pets require love and caring are important for us humans to learn as early as possible.
Thank you to the author for providing me a lovely print copy (to have and to hold!) in exchange for my honest opinion -- the only kind I give.
OTHER BOOKS BY MISTY BAKER:
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