Review - Madeline Finn and the Therapy Dog

Madeline Finn and the Therapy Dog
by Lisa Papp
Date: 2020
Publisher: Peachtree Publishing Company
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Madeline Finn and Star are back--and now Star is old enough to become a therapy dog. Will our beloved team be able to pass the test?

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, she 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?

A companion to the Lisa Papp's best-selling books Madeline Finn and the Library Dog and Madeline Finn and the Therapy Dog, this heartwarming story explores the therapy dog training process and provides a realistic and appealing example of a young person making a difference in her community.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I absolutely love the illustrations in these books! Madeline Finn and the dogs are so adorable. I come away from reading wanting a dog of my own to hug.

In this book, Star (the dog) is old enough to become a therapy dog. So Madeline Finn and her mother take Star to Walker Oaks, a retirement community, to take the requisite tests. Star does well... but Madeline Finn notices an old man who seems to need a bit of love. Will she and Star be able to break through his defences?

This is a lovely story with strong writing and gorgeous illustrations. I noticed one missing quotation mark, but as this is an ARC, hopefully that will be sorted out in the final version. Other than that, I really enjoyed this one. Readers who fell in love with Madeline Finn in her previous books will probably find plenty to love here as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Peachtree Publishing Company 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