The Little Crooked Bookshelf on ReviewsDay!

Dear oh-so-patient readers,

We apologize for our absence this September. We cottagers (Anika Denise, Kara LaReau, Jamie Michalak and Mr. Pig) have been up to our ears in bookish things, and haven't been able to visit as much as we'd like.

The good news? WE'RE BACK! And we've been doing some redecorating.

In order to accommodate our writing deadlines, appearances, school visits, etc., AND keep hosting kidlit faves in the Cottage—we're changing things up a bit.

With a big nod of thanks to author Jess Keating, we're pleased to join the #ReviewsDay movement, by posting reviews of our favorite picture books, early chapter books, and middle grade novels, every Tuesday. We'll simultaneously post to the Cottage's GOODREADS account, and on AMAZON. This helps readers, by spreading the word about books we think are truly FANTÁSTICO! And helps authors, who rely on reviews to help boost sales and visibility of their titles.

Voila! A win-win.

And guess what? YOU can help, too—by commenting, sharing our reviews on social media, and by  posting Tuesday #ReviewsDay of your own, for books you love.

So... without further ado, our first #ReviewsDay selection is...

HELLO GOODBYE DOG

by Maria Gianferrari

pictures by Patrice Barton

(This week's #ReviewsDay pick is from cottager Anika Denise.)

What it's all about...
Zara, a little girl in a wheelchair, has a special bond with her lovable dog Moose. Moose loves saying hello to Zara, but isn't so fond of goodbye. So when it's time for Zara to go off to school, Moose figures out a way to pay her a visit.

Why I love it...
Even if I didn't know Maria Gianferrari is a passionate dog-lover (I do), it's abundantly clear from the warmth and humor of her story. As I was reading, I found myself thinking: Yup, that's exactly what a dog would say if he could talk. Patrice Barton's equally expressive illustrations provide a perfect complement to the charming text.

My favorite line(s)...
"Goodbye was a tag without an 'It.'
Goodbye was a tug and no war.
Goodbye was a hide without seek.
Goodbye was being alone.
AAAA-WOOO, yowled Moose."

What's the kid-appeal?
Kids with dogs (or those who desperately want one, like mine) are sure to love this story of a devoted furry friend.

What's the grownup appeal?
Parents and educators will no doubt welcome the addition of this heartwarming story, featuring a diverse main character and a lovable (yet imperfect) pet, to their libraries. An author's note at the end includes information on therapy dogs and their uses in classrooms and libraries—providing a wonderful discussion prompt for ability differences, and how dogs (to quote the author) can have "pawsitive" effects in a variety of environments.

Where to find/buy Hello Goodbye Dog
Indie Booksellers
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Or at a school or library near you!

Maria Gianferrari is the author of several picture books, including Coyote Moon, published by Roaring Brook Press. For Maria, hello is sunshine after a snowstorm, the scent of cinnamon, and happy greetings from her beloved mutt, Becca. Maria lives in northern Virginia with Becca, her scientist husband and her artist daughter. To learn more about Maria, visit her at mariagianferrari.com.

Patrice Barton is the illustrator of over twenty picture and chapter books, including the award-winning MINE! by Shutta Crum and The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig. Her chapter books include Junior Library Guild selections The Year of Three Sisters (An Anna Wang Noel) by Andrea Cheng and The Naming of Tishkin Silk by Glenda Millard. Patrice lives with her husband and her sweet dog, Archer. You can learn more about her at partricebarton.com.