Description

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Madeline Finn is training her dog Star to become a therapy dog. Will they pass the test? A beautiful story of empathy, perseverance, and community from Lisa Papp.

Madeline Finn and Star are off to Walker Oaks, a retirement community where Star will take his tests to become a therapy dog. Accompanied by Mom, Mrs. Dimple, and Bonnie the library dog, Madeline and Star make their way through a variety of challenges and meet several new friends.

But Madeline Finn can't stop thinking about an elderly man in a wheelchair who never smiles. Is there something she and Star can do to help?

Author-illustrator Lisa Papp's empathetic, feel-good story explores the therapy dog training process and provides a realistic and appealing example of a young person making a difference. Paired with warm, gentle illustrations, this book is ideal for social emotional learning and discussions about self-esteem, volunteering, community, and—of course—therapy animals.

About the Author

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Lisa Papp grew up telling stories. With a notebook full of sketches, her early tales featured her cat, stuffed animals, and other nature-y things. Today, Lisa is still making up stories and painting pictures, only now, they fill the pages of children's books. She has received awards for both her writing and illustration, including a 2011 NAPPA Honor Award, 2012 Storytelling Award, and the 2013 PA Keystone to Reading Award. Lisa lives in Pennsylvania, with her husband, Robert, also an artist, and three wildly creative cats—to whom she does read.

Praise For…

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"Charming, soft-focus illustrations provide extra details and capture the personalities of the determined child and irresistible dogs. . . . This touching story stands on its own, but fans of Madeline's previous outings will particularly enjoy reading this account that ties all the previous tales together. A gentle, heartwarming introduction to the world of therapy dogs."—Kirkus Reviews

★ "A beautifully designed introduction to the lives of therapy dogs and how much work goes into becoming one. A backdrop of warm tan surrounds each image; this, coupled with soft purples, blues, and greens, lends a sense of familiarity and comfort to the story. Pencil lines and watercolor enhance this feeling, nonverbally communicating the effect a therapy dog has on the people he meets. . . . This intergenerational story of love and acceptance is an important addition to ¬library collections for young -elementary-aged ¬readers." —School Library Journal, Starred Review