Happy Book Birthday, Just Me, Wrigley by Savy Leiser!

JUST ME, WRIGLEY

A Furever Home Friends Story

by Savy Leiser

Picture Book

36 pages

ages 4 to 7

Wrigley loves to dance! She can shake her tail all over the animal shelter. But for some people, Wrigley's rhythm isn't enough. 

Wrigley is a mutt; nobody knows what breed she is. When people come to the shelter looking for Dalmatians and labs and schnauzers, Wrigley wonders when it will be her turn. 

Can Wrigley find the confidence to accept her mixed-breed identity and dance her way into a forever home?

MY TIDBITS

This is a super cute book, which opens the eyes and hearts to animals, especially those who have landed in the shelter.

Wrigley isn't as talented as the other dogs around her at the shelter, but she loves to dance. When she's picked up by a family and presented to their son as a Christmas present, she's sure she's found a new home, but the boy wanted a different dog. Wrigley lands back in the shelter, crushed and unsure of herself. Somehow, she must overcome her self-doubt and maybe find a true home.

The author does a fantastic job at exposing the tales and bringing sympathy for the  various histories dogs can face before landing in the shelter. Wrigley is a sweet dog, whose is hard not to immediately fall in love with. The heart hurts when she lands right back there where she'd hoped to leave—something which reminds people what it means when they place a dog in the shelter. 

On the other side, Wrigley needs to come to terms with her own self-image—something kids and adults often have a problem with. Her wonderful personality guides readers through this fun and warm journey, making it a lesson to learn without becoming preachy. Plus, dogs are super sweet.

The illustrations have a personal touch and invite to be flipped through time and again. They bring Wrigley's personality nicely to life. This is a sweet read, especially as a read aloud, with many wonderful messages and tons of cuteness as well. 

Review: A Furever Home Friend's Story by Savy Leiser

PRINCESS ALLEE

Furever Home Friend's Story, Book One

by Savy Leiser

Illustrated by Brenda Clemente

Picture Book

ages 3+

36 pages

Meet Princess Allee!

While living at the shelter, Allee, a black lab puppy, dreams of being a princess. When a stylish young woman comes to adopt her, Allee thinks her dream is about to come true!

But Allee soon learns that her new suburban life doesn’t include castles or crowns. It includes two dog brothers that she has to learn to get along with!

Can Allee learn to feel like royalty even when living the average life? 

 MY TIDBITS

Alle is a little princess, who will steal readers' hearts.

Allee is a princess. She decided she was, but she doesn't have her castle yet. When the fitting new owner adopts her from the dog pound, she's sure her days as royalty have finally come. Life, however, has something else in store.

Allee is sweet. Her princess dreams are something kids will easily identify with and understand. Her beginnings in the dog pound pull at the heart-strings, but this is never stressed or presented in a negative light. Instead, this tale focuses on Allee, her dreams, and how she deals with reality. Because reality is never what we expect, but that doesn't mean it's worse or even bad.

The illustrations are done with love and show an Allee that readers would love to snuggle and play with. Her liveliness and positive attitude pour off of the pages. The emotions come across clearly and make her tale fun to flip through.

As to the ending, it's a heart warming one, which is sure to leave a smile on the lips. There is a lesson in the book, and it comes across gently. Allee is a dog to love and readers will enjoy following her tale.

SMILE, CHEWIE!

Furever Home Friend's Story, Book Two

by Savy Leiser

Illustrated by Christy Schneyman

Picture Book

ages 3+

36 pages

Meet Chewie and his million-dollar smile! 

Despite Chewie’s friendly personality, he’s too shy to let the shelter volunteers take his picture! 

See, Chewie is stuck with scars on his face after the abuse he suffered as a puppy, from a man who was prejudiced against pit bulls. 

Can Chewie find the confidence to stand up to these awful pit bull stereotypes, and smile for the camera? 

The Furever Home Friends is a series of kids’ books about shelter dogs and their journeys to adoption. 

Our goal is to raise awareness about the importance of adopting animals from shelters, and to share the stories of real animals who have gone through the shelter system. We also aim to teach children about a variety of social issues, including adoption, animal abuse, body image, disabilities, racism, sexism, and much more.

 MY TIDBITS

Chewie is a pit bull, who has had a tough life. In the pound, he waits for someone to adopt him but is afraid of the attention most animals get. He doesn't find himself cute or worth taking a picture of. When he finally takes the chance and tries to show the world how cute he is, the result is heart-warming.

Unlike the first book in the series, Chewie's tale hits more upon the rough life that some dogs have faced before they end up in a pound. He's unsure and there are reasons for that. Although never graphic, the troubles come across clearly and will have young readers concerned and touched by Chewie's past. The stereotype against pit bulls is also pulled to light. But this isn't a story meant to leave the reader sad, and it pulls around with a very happy ending and a sense of warmth.

The illustrations are well done and accompany the tale nicely. Chewie's earlier life is presented in dark tones, which makes the tone clear. The brightness of the last pages adds a sharp contrast and does a great job displaying the fun and joy.

Summed up, this book is more series than the first in the series and packs more direct messages. Young readers will enjoy Chewie's tale and learn something in the process.