Review - Madeline Finn and the Shelter Dog

Madeline Finn and the Shelter Dog
by Lisa Papp
Date: 2019
Publisher: Peachtree Publishers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Madeline Finn and the Shelter Dog centers on budding independent reader Madeline Finn, her newly adopted puppy Star (one of Bonnie’s puppies!), and their unique quest to help animals at their local shelter. This sequel was a natural leap for Lisa Papp. After spending time with so many library dogs writing the first Madeline Finn book, she became aware that many of them are former shelter dogs. Papp is a passionate animal lover and pleased these special pups are at the heart of this installment.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I haven't read the first book about Madeline Finn, but I don't think it's strictly necessary to have read it to enjoy this one. Madeline Finn and the Shelter Dog is a really cute book about a little girl who, when she finds out that the animals in the shelter don't have anyone to love them or read to them, sets out to make sure the animals are all taken care of.

The illustrations are absolutely adorable. Madeline herself is a cute kid, and I like how her bunny toy is always at her side. (I'm assuming this is something that was part of the first book as well.)

If I have any complaint, it's with the title. Madeline Finn and the Shelter Dog sounds like it should feature one of the dogs quite prominently as a character, and while I know which dog the title is referring to, I'm having trouble seeing why it gets top billing. Perhaps if the book had been called something like Madeline Finn and the Animal Shelter Reading Project, it would've made more sense to me. (I get why the title was chosen; it fits in with the first book in the series. I'm just not sure if it really fits in with the story.)

Overall, though, I really enjoyed this one. The pictures are cute, and it's fun to try to pick out the repeating elements (like the bunny toy, the bag of books, and Miss Ivy's bird). This would be a great book for kids who love animals and reading... and reading to animals!

Thank you to NetGalley and Peachtree Publishers for providing a digital ARC.

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 5/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4.17 out of 5