Books that Educate and Entertain!
From rescue dog to therapy dog - Piper is on the job!
What People Are Saying About Piper's Journey Home
Reviewed by Carol Thompson (5-Star)
Reviewed by Carol Thompson (5-Star)
Reviewed by Carol Thompson (5-Star)
The Adventures of Piper: Piper’s Journey Home by Dave Osborn is a heartwarming tale that chronicles the true story of a rescue puppy’s transformation from a life of hardship to one filled with love and care. The book is written in a simple, engaging style, making it suitable for readers of all ages, particularly families considering adopting a rescue dog. The narrative is told from Piper’s perspective, which adds a unique and emotional touch. As Piper transitions into her new life with Dave and Marilyn, the book highlights the challenges and rewards of adopting a rescue dog. It provides valuable insights into the patience and care required to help a neglected animal recover and thrive. The inclusion of practical details, such as Piper’s veterinary care and training, makes the book informative for potential pet owners while maintaining its narrative charm.
Dave Osborn’s portrayal of Piper’s interactions with her new family, including Dave and Marilyn’s grandsons, is particularly touching. These moments emphasize the joy and bond that pets bring to families. Piper’s journey through puppy kindergarten and her discovery of her mixed breed heritage add insight and a bit of humor to the narrative. The book is also educational, aiming to reduce the number of returned rescue animals by preparing readers for the responsibilities of pet ownership. Osborn’s passion for dogs is apparent throughout every chapter, and his dedication to sharing Piper’s story is evident. The book is not only a delightful read but also a meaningful contribution to raising awareness about animal rescue and adoption. Piper’s Journey Home is a touching and informative story with photographs of Piper that will make anyone fall in love with her. It is a must-read for animal lovers and families considering adopting a pet.
Reviewed by Keith Mbuya (5-Star)
Reviewed by Carol Thompson (5-Star)
Reviewed by Carol Thompson (5-Star)
Meet Piper, a stray puppy living with her mother, brothers, and sisters. Piper does not enjoy the life she lives with her family. To keep warm, they have to huddle together in ditches or sewers. Piper is always cold, muddy, and wet, especially when it rains. Sometimes her mother does not have enough milk for everyone, and they have to eat dead, spoiled catch to stay alive. The food only makes Piper weak and sick, and she dreads being attacked by raccoons or other hostile animals because she will not be able to defend herself. However, Piper’s life is about to change as, one day, she is taken in by a woman she hardly knows. Find out what happens to Piper in Dave Osborn’s Piper’s Journey Home: The True Story of a Rescue Puppy (The Adventures of Piper).
If you are looking for a picture book for children blended with a tale of animals and adventure, Dave Osborn’s Piper’s Journey Home is the perfect pick. Narrating the story from the perspective of a dog, Osborn gives kids a glimpse into the world of dogs, ingeniously appealing to their sense of empathy. Through this story, young readers will learn to care more about, love, and protect dogs. They will also be taught about other attributes of dogs, such as breed names, traits, and the numerous existing facilities to cater to their unique needs. The real-life photos capture the unspoken joy of a rescued dog and a family enjoying its company. They will leave your kids either longing for or demanding a dog. The choice of words used will enrich the vocabulary of young readers, sharpening their grasp of language.
Reviewed by Ann Linus (5-Star)
Reviewed by Carol Thompson (5-Star)
Reviewed by Ann Linus (5-Star)
Piper is a black Formosan Mountain Dog with piercing black-brown eyes and a permanent smile, but Piper’s beginning wasn’t as pleasant as her looks. Piper was a stray dog who ate whatever was available and slept wherever she could find. One rainy day, a muddy and cold Piper huddled with her mother and siblings, thinking of her gnawing hunger. Then she saw a lady outside a nearby house and approached her with the hope of getting something to eat, but Piper’s legs were too slow. Just before the lady stepped into her house, Piper let out a weak bark, and the lady turned and saw Piper. The lady had compassion for Piper, petted her, and took her into the house, where she dried Piper off and gave her food, but Piper threw it all up in a matter of minutes. The kind lady cleaned up Piper’s mess, then set out to find her a new home with Dave Osborn, the author of Piper’s Journey Home.
Piper’s Journey Home is a heartfelt story with insight into training rescue dogs. The prologue enlightened me to the reality that a percentage of rescue dogs are returned to the shelter within months of adoption because the new dog parents are not prepared to take on the responsibility of raising a rescue puppy or adult dog. Piper's experience taught me that training a rescue dog requires time, patience, money, an extra dose of love, and even therapy. The story was narrated from Piper’s perspective, which made it more personal. I loved the beautiful pictures that showed Piper’s experiences. My favorite was the one of her sleeping with her hind legs crossed. I enjoyed following Piper's journey, and I learned a few things from it. I recommend Piper’s Journey Home by Dave Osborn, especially to anyone who likes to rescue animals.
What People Are Saying About Piper Learns to Serve
Review by Anne-Marie Reynolds (5-Star)
Review by Anne-Marie Reynolds (5-Star)
Review by Anne-Marie Reynolds (5-Star)
Piper Learns to Serve is the second book in Dave Osborn’s Adventures of Piper series. Piper the rescue dog is about to undergo something quite spectacular—she's training to become a therapy animal, but it’s not going to be easy for her or Dave. They both must learn the skills needed to provide comfort for people in care settings, but the journey is a rewarding one. Piper doesn't find it as easy as she thought it might be, and she has to overcome a lot of fears along the way. But Piper wants nothing more than to give back; she was saved, and now she wants to help others. Join Piper and Dave on their Therapy Partner Journey and learn just what it takes to qualify.
What an amazing book! Not only is it a story about Piper learning to become a therapy dog, but it’s also a tool for helping people see that rescue dogs are the way to go, not buying from breeders. The story is told from Piper’s point of view, and readers will learn all about the process needed to train dogs to become therapy animals and the difference they can make to people in hospitals, care homes, and other places where people need help. The photos are a lovely addition to a wonderfully heartwarming tale about one rescue pup’s determination to be something in the world. I love stories about rescue animals; they teach us so much, especially younger readers, about humanity and the value of rescue work. Piper Learns to Serve by Dave Osborn is a lovely book and recommended reading for all, regardless of age.
Review by Liz Konkel (5-Star)
Review by Anne-Marie Reynolds (5-Star)
Review by Anne-Marie Reynolds (5-Star)
Piper Learns to Serve by Dave Osborn is an empowering true story that follows the journey of a rescue dog as she trains to become an official therapy animal. Piper learns to face her fears and be resilient as she undergoes training that teaches her important commands and essential skills. Once she passes and becomes official, she will be able to bring comfort, companionship, and support to people in hospice, nursing homes, and more. Told from Piper’s perspective, Osborn provides an easy-to-comprehend story that teaches children about the impact therapy animals have on people’s lives and why they’re so important. This lovely educational resource helps young readers understand the role therapy dogs play, serving as a guideline for those seeking therapy dogs or wishing to train them.
The story is based on a real journey that a rescue dog experienced as she went from being found to finding a new purpose. This inspiring story is written from her perspective, which conveys an innocent charm, a lovable heart, and endearing antics. Dave Osborn’s writing is genuine as it explores Piper’s fears, insecurities, and struggles as she learns important skills, such as her feeling of being out of place training with the “fancy” dogs. These moments make her relatable to children who may be struggling to learn a new skill or feeling insecure in class. This is also useful for children who need a therapy pet or know someone who does, as they can see what a therapy animal is for. Piper’s journey is paired with real photos, which give children insight into her world and allow them to see firsthand what she’s learning. The tone is lighthearted and incorporates humor throughout, which makes the story fun for children to read. Piper Learns to Serve continues the story of Piper’s journey with important themes and adorable photos included.
Review by Carol Thompson (5-Star)
Review by Anne-Marie Reynolds (5-Star)
Review by Carol Thompson (5-Star)
The Adventures of Piper: Piper Learns to Serve by Dave Osborn is a heartwarming continuation of Piper’s journey, showcasing her transformation from a rescued stray to a certified therapy dog. This second installment in the series is educational and inspiring, offering readers a glimpse into the rigorous process of training therapy animals and the impact they can have on people in need. The book begins with Piper’s growth into a healthy, happy adult dog under the loving care of Dave and Marilyn. From there, the story transitions into the detailed steps required for Piper and Dave to become a certified therapy team. The narrative is engaging, as it alternates between Piper’s perspective and Dave’s experiences, and the inclusion of Piper’s thoughts adds a charming and personal touch.
Dave Osborn does an excellent job of explaining the training process, from obedience lessons to the final evaluation. The challenges Piper faces, such as overcoming self-doubt and learning to interact with other dogs, are presented in a way that highlights the importance of patience, perseverance, and teamwork. The book’s dedication to healthcare professionals and therapy animals underscores its central theme of service and compassion. Osborn’s writing is straightforward, making it suitable for young readers while still engaging for adults. The photographs throughout the book enhance the storytelling, offering visual context to Piper’s training and evaluation. Piper Learns to Serve is an uplifting and informative read that highlights the value of therapy animals and the dedication required to train them. This series should be in every classroom so children understand therapy dogs and why it's important that they should not randomly pet them.
Contact the author for additional information!
Special Program for Educators & Librarians
Writing Guides for Piper's Journey Home and Piper Learns to Serve are available. Leveled at early and late 3rd grade, they will be perfect for a Reading for Comprehension development or enrichment program. The Guides will be provided at no charge with any classroom order (20+ discounted books).
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Maintenant disponible en français !
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