Good Morning, Everyone!
It’s Perfect Picture Book Friday…and it’s the front end of a long weekend (at least here in the US)… and it’s the psychological beginning of summer (which technically goes from June 21 – September 21, but really seems to be more measured by Memorial Day to Labor Day! 🙂 )  So that’s a pretty extra-special good Friday, wouldn’t you say? 🙂
Since it’s Memorial Day weekend, my choice for today is on a more serious topic, but the book is well written – on a level that kids can understand and appreciate without it being scary/upsetting in any way – and I hope you’ll enjoy it and find it a useful addition to your libraries.
Title: Tuesday Tucks Me In: The Loyal Bond Between A Soldier And His Service Dog
Written By: Luis Carlos Montalvan & Bret Witter
Photographs By: Dan Dion
Roaring Brook Press, May 2014, Nonfiction
Suitable For Ages: 4-8
Themes/Topics: service/therapy animals, military life, photographic book, love, nonfiction
Opening: “In the morning, every morning, my friend Luis wakes up to . . . Â this.”
Brief Synopsis: After tours in Iraq left him wounded and distressed, Captain Luis Montalvan returned home to a life he was no longer comfortable living. Â He reached a point where he was afraid to leave his apartment. Â But a service dog named Tuesday changed everything for him. Â Tuesday helps Luis with daily tasks, and he calms and comforts Luis by always being there for him. Â Tuesday has made it possible for Luis to live a rewarding life.
Links To Resources: Facts About Service Dogs for Kids; Wayside Elementary Schools Special Needs Awareness Program (SNAP) (video); discuss how animals make you feel and what they do for you; discuss whether you have veterans in your family, Â or members of your family currently serving in the armed forces – Â how does that make you feel?
Why I Like This Book: Â Every day, men and women risk their lives overseas for our freedom and way of life. Â When they return home, it is often difficult to readjust, and to carry on with a life so at odds with what they’ve seen and survived. Â This book gives kids a glimpse of the difficulties a soldier might face upon coming home at an appropriate and accessible level. Â It also shows how the love and care of a therapy animal has the power to change a life. Â It’s written from the point of view of the dog, which makes it friendly and non-threatening. Â For kids who have a relative or family friend who is a veteran, this book could be very helpful in understanding what they might be going through and in opening a discussion. Â For any child, this book can encourage empathy and understanding.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 🙂
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific links (and any other info you feel like filling out 🙂 ) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!!! 🙂