Shannon's Review - I Cannot Sleep by Ann Louise Ramsey

Title: I Cannot Sleep

Series: N/A

Author: Ann Louise Ramsey

Genre: Picture Book, Children, Dogs

Publisher: Crow Peak Publishing

Received: From Author for Review

Release Date:  February 2013

Pages:  40

Rating:

Official Website’s Of Ann Louise Ramsey:

Home Website

http://www.annlouiseramsey.com/

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/user/annlouiseramsey

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/annlouiseramsey

Twitter

https://twitter.com/annlouiseramsey

Pinterest

http://www.pinterest.com/annlouiseramsey/

Shannon’s Thoughts:

Author Ann Louise Ramsey has written a story about her cocker spaniel, Honey.  Honey is full of energy after a big day she has trouble sleeping.  Honey thinks about how fun and joyful her day was until she falls to sleep.

The cover of the book is what caught my eye.  Inside I Cannot Sleep has the some real photographs with photoshop backgrounds, to make a unique story.  The story is cute and has an extra treat inside that including finding images of real birds in the book.  So not only is it a story but there is also a game of I Spy with birds.

There is really nothing I would change with this book.   Well except for a longer book. That is the way I feel with most good children books.    I Cannot Sleep is cute, pretty and colorful.

Shannon's Review - You Had Me At Woof by Julie Klam

Title: You Had Me At Woof
Series: N/A
Author:  Julie Klam
Genre: Non-Fiction, Pets
Publisher: Riverhead Hardcover
Received: Puchased
Release Date: September 2010
Pages: 228
Rating:


My Thoughts:
Author Julie Klam wrote You Had Me At Woof to share her love of dogs and finding them homes as a foster fur baby mom.  Some of the dogs she kept herself other she just watched until they found their permanent home.

Being a dog, and cat lover I know if I started the job of fostering I would not be able to let go of the pets.  Although Mrs. Klam has had the issue of keeping a dog she fostering many times, especially since she does have a daughter who also become attached, she has learned to let go of those that need a better home.  While reading this book I had dreams about me and hubby have 5 dogs at once which was crazy even in the dream but every dog was full of love.  Although some may have been annoying.   I loved reading about each dog Mrs. Klam took in and the different personalities the pups had.  

I am not sure I connected on how the dogs made her happy.  Considering the sub title is Dogs Taught Me The Secret To Happiness.   Was it just because they were a dog and dogs can make her feel happy or was it because she was taking care of them bringing good karma to herself.
Couple of the dogs seemed troublesome at times to care for to me that would not bring the happiness.

I  liked the book very much and would not mind reading more of Julie Klam’s books.  Her writing is entertaining and thoughtful.



Website:

Official Website of Julie Klam
http://www.julieklam.com/

Shannon's Review - Seamus The Sheltie by James Beverly

Title: Seamus The Sheltie To The Rescue
Series: Seamus The Sheltie
Author: James Beverly
Genre: Juvenile Fiction, Dogs
Publisher: Nightengale Media LLC Company
Received:  From Author For Review
Release Date: April 2011
Pages: 156
Rating:


Shannon's Thoughts:
The stories of these adventures are fictional and based on the author’s dog, Seamus the Sheltie.  Seamus speaks a little differently than you and me.  He and most of the animals in the story have a child like speech that only when talking to each other and is understandable to them.  Seamus goes on many adventures saving or teaching the other animals lessons in being nice to each other.

The stories are sweet.   Especially any of the stories that feature a little puppy that need Seamus help or comfort.  

Sometimes the way the animal speak to each other, in a babyish talk, does confuse the brain.
I wasn’t a fan of the speech.  The author does explain in detail why Seamus and the animals talk to each other way they do.    It is (what I think)  suppose to be really cute fails as you continually read some of the repetitive sentences.  

All that being said I still did enjoy the stories and could feel the warmth that Seamus spreads.  I think children will enjoy Seamus’ adventures.



Website:


Official Seamus The Sheltie Website
http://www.seamusthesheltie.com/

Booking Through Thursday - Dog Days

Since my dog is turning 10 today … what animal-related books have you read? Which do you love? Do you have a favorite literary dog? (Snoopy, anyone?) 

Most recent animal related book I read was probably One Good Dog by Susan Wilson you can read my review here.  I would have to say my favorites where the ones I read as a child and read over and over which would be Charlotte's Web by E.B. White and Old Yeller by Fred Gipson.  Oh and 101 Dalmatians by Dodie Smith!    My favorite literary dog??? hmmm....snoopy is a good one not sure I can top him.  Odie is cute too.  Those are the only ones coming to mind. :-/

A New Name For Worthless: A Hero Is Born by Rocky Shepheard

 






Title: A New Name For Worthless: A Hero Is Born
Series: N/A
Author: Rocky Shepheard
Genre: Children’s Book, Picture Book
Publisher: Crescent Renewal Resource                     
Received: From Author For Review Purposes
Release Date: January 2011
Pages: 32
Rating:


What is it About?

A dog chained outside is rescued by his two wildlife friends and in turn he rescues some one else in need.

My Thoughts:

Worthless is a dog given as name truly not deserved.   He is chained outside to only a small area in his owner yard and is not cared for properly.   His two friends a fox and a otter decide to rescue him and find a new home.   Then one day Worthless earns a new name and a new owner doing what all dogs hope to do which is make a human proud and have a new best friend.

I love the art and the story of this book my only wish is that there was more story.  Some questions are left unanswered like what happened to the dog’s friends after he rescues his new owner?  How did they become friends in the first place?  Those are just some of the things that went through my head while reading that I hope one day will be answered.

Website:

http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/aheroisbornbook.html

One Good Dog by Susan Wilson

 




Title: One Good Dog
Series:N/A
Author: Susan Wilson
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Received: Received from publisher for review purposes
Release Date: March 2010
Pages: 320
Rating:
 

What is it About?

A man with a well-to-do life has everything he thought he wanted in life.  Even though anger seeps through what happiness he is not receiving at home. One mistaken phone message changes everything about his life leading him to changes he never imagined possible.  Through a dog Adam sees redemption for both human and canine world.

My Thoughts:

Back and forth each chapter we are introduced to Adam and the next to a dog.  We know eventually the two will met we just don’t know how or when or what circumstances  will bring them together.    Each of these living beings are looking for redemption or just “One Good Life”

I found refreshing the voice of the dog not as usual dumb dog  or needy dog .   This dog owned it’s personality and wasn’t going to change for anyone or so he thought.  The same can be said for Adam until the two meet and only then does redemption seem possible.

A very smart and heart-wrenching book. I would defiantly recommend and say keep to read over again.

Website:

Susan Wilson (Author’s Official Site)
http://susanwilsonwrites.com/

Alphabet Woof by Sherrie A. Madia

Title: Alphabet Woof   
Author: Sherrie A. Madia
Genre: Children’s Book, Picture Book
Publisher: Mommy Daughter Productions
Received: 1 copy for review purposes
Release Date: Feb 2010
Pages: 28
Rating:


What is it About?
A dog makes a wish on soup made by a loving hand.


My Thoughts:
Very creative story for kids.   A dog wishing on a bowl of Alphabet soup spilt on the floor.  It is a believable fairy tale because most pet owners feel that there animals want to talk to them some how and the dog’s wish makes it possible for him to communicate with his owners.  

I like the way it flowed the way it sometimes rhymed.  I get a little lost when the dog goes on and on, which is probably the point but like the child trying to sleep I wanted  the dog to let the kid sleep.

Entertaining and good for children with pets or that like fairy tales.

Website:

http://sherriemadia.com/

 

 

Dingle by Audrey Kinsella

Title: Dingle: The Helpful Ice Cream Cone DeliveryDog
Series: None
Author(s):by Audrey Kinsella
Genre:Childrens, Picture book
Publisher:   AuthorHouse                                              
Received:From author for review purposes
Release Date:     June 1st 2010
Finished: December 7th 2010
Pages: 24
Challenges: None
Rating:


My Thoughts:  Dingle is a dog who wants to help people like his dog friend Rex.  How he is going do so is up to him.

There were a few things I didn’t understand with this book.  In the beginning the art is in comic book form, characters with word bubbles and below the images the same words again. I don’t understand for what reason this is done especially since it is only done halfway through out the book.

The book also felt like it needed more story.  You get to the last page and you already know the end because of the bi line. I feel like we get to the climax and then end the story.

If I were rating by the art it would be a 4 out of 5 but since it is the story I am rating, I am disappointed.

About the Author: Audrey Kinsella is also an author of healthcare books this is her first children’s book.   Not only is she a writer but she is a librarian.   Visit her official site for Dingle here http://www.dingleenterprises.com/index.php?page_id=1

 

 

Bailey's Day by Robert Haggerty

Title: Bailey's Day


Series: None

Author(s): Robert Haggerty

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Publisher: Outskirts Press, Inc

Received: Received through communication with Bostick Communications and author

Release Date: January 14, 2010

Finished: May 10, 2010

Pages: 46

Challenges: None

Rating:

My Thoughts: Bailey is a cute black and white dog whose human owner is a mailman. As Bailey's owner does his rounds delivering mail, the dog explores the neighborhood with his doggie friend Frankie.



This book will do well with the younger side of the picture book spectrum. The story is written in short, simple sentences on each page. Sometimes maybe too simple. I thought the drawings were cute and the photos at the end were a nice touch. Although I enjoyed the adventures of Bailey, I agree with another reviewer who said they didn't like the end. The owner reacts to the dog's escapades takes the fun out of the story.



About the Author: This is the first book for Robert Haggerty, and it's about his real life dog named Bailey. When not writing, Haggerty works for the postal service. Visit the Bailey's Day website at http://baileysday.com/.