Finding Gobi: The True Story of One Little Dog's Big Journey by Dion Leonard

Finding Gobi: The True Story of One Little Dog's Big Journey

by Dion Leonard

 This is such a sweet story. Originally a longer book written in an autobiographical style, this version is made simpler for teenage and younger readers. It also includes the perspective of the little dog Gobi! I thought this tale unusual yet believable and interesting. I was captivated from start to finish. Of course, as an older reader I wasn't a fan of the portions containing the dog's thoughts however there was nothing wrong with it for younger readers. I'm just too mature for such things. ;P

Your young reader will greatly enjoy this true story!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.

Bring home the incredible true story of a friendship so strong that it crosses the globe! You will love the inspiring tale of Gobi, a lost dog who kept pace with an ultramarathon runner, Dion Leonard, across a vast desert. Follow their unlikely friendship through the challenges of an 80-mile race and Dion’s struggle to bring Gobi home for good.

Finding Gobi: The True Story of One Little Dog's Big Journey is the incredible true story of Dion Leonard, an athlete who was befriended by a stray dog while running an ultramarathon through the Gobi Desert. Named for the desert in which he found her, Gobi became Dion’s closest companion for 77 miles of the 155-mile race across China. The scrappy little pup ran mile after mile alongside Dion, through treacherous conditions and across raging rivers. He let her sleep in his tent and share his food, and eventually, his focus shifted from winning to the newfound friendship he and Gobi shared.

They crossed the finish line together—not first, but together—and Dion decided to bring Gobi home to Scotland. Just before they were about to leave, however, Gobi disappeared, setting off a worldwide search for the stray. In a town of more than 3 million people, the search seemed hopeless, but this tale of friendship will surprise and delight you as you find out what happens!

Join the almost too-good-to-be-true story of hope, friendship, and beating incredible odds in Finding Gobi: The True Story of One Little Dog's Big Journey by Dion Leonard.

THE BEHEMOTH DINOSAUR IN THE LAND OF UZ

THE BEHEMOTH DINOSAUR IN THE LAND OF UZ

This is an unusual children’s book set in the land of Uz. The characters in the story are surprising: a behemoth, a young Job and the people of Uz. Both Spanish-speaking people as well as English-speaking folks who wish to learn Spanish will appreciate that this book is a bilingual story, split into parts, the first in English followed by Spanish. The story is about the people of Uz who are afraid of the behemoth dinosaur because he’s different, and they are scared he will take all their food and water when he lives there as well. As the story progresses, the people learn that sharing, even with such a large, unusual creature, isn’t as bad as it seems as long as everyone shares equally, including the behemoth.

Personally, I don't see the necessity of this book featuring the biblical character Job. For me, that plays with history a bit too much. Not that Job was a man holier than others, but sometimes children's picture books can play down characters in the Bible. This story basically takes a setting, a creature and a character from a portion of the Bible and invents an entirely different story to teach a lesson to children. I am not entirely opposed to this book but neither am I fan of it. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

More about the book:

Carvings and fossils of dinosaurs with humans have been seen in various caves around the world. These carvings and fossils have been tested to provide evidence that proves these fossils are not as old as we've been told.

A salted lake was formed in MINUTES in Japan's earthquake in 2011. If it had occurred during the time when the motion picture was not available, science would have said the lake took millions of years to form.

The story and dialogue of this book takes place between people and the behemoth. The behemoth walks to the well to get water and sees his friend Job. Job becomes excited to see him and hugs him. Many villagers want the behemoth out of the village. But at the end, everything changes.

Flash: The Homeless Donkey Who Taught Me About Life, Faith and Second Chances by Rachel Anne Ridge

Flash: The Homeless Donkey Who Taught Me About Life, Faith and Second Chances by Rachel Anne Ridge


   As I began this book, I had no idea what to expect. I am not so much of an animal lover that I want a book to be entirely about the spiritual side of a donkey! I also wasn't looking forward to a book full of an owner's praises concerning her prize pet.

However, all my pre-conceived notions were to fade as I read simply the first two chapters of this endearing book. Partly an autobiography of Rachel's life, party a biography of a donkey's life, and partly a devotional, this book is sure to not only delight you but change your day if not more than just your day!
I was impressed by the spiritual depth cleverly tied-in to lessons learnt from a simple donkey. Did I say clever? But indeed; the lessons were shown to the author Rachel Anne by our all-knowing, wise and loving Father- God! And He chose to teach her life lessons through this sweet (and sometimes stubborn) creature of His- Flash the donkey!

  The author is an excellent writer, making my reading of this book most pleasurable. I laughed, I was touched, I was convicted and I was inspired to change my life around as well.
 I highly recommend this book!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Stay: Lessons My Dogs Taught Me about Life, Loss, and Grace by Dave Burchett

Stay: Lessons My Dogs Taught Me about Life, Loss, and Grace

by Dave Burchett 

Dog lovers, here is a book that will really speak to you! 

Stay, by Dave Burchett is full of ''amazing (furry)'' lessons from a dog's life. Or rather, lessons a dog owner can glean from watching his furry friend. 

My dear little ''Paisley pup''
She was hit by a car in 2013

Having experienced the friendship of a dog- my favorite ever!-  in the past, I was able to relate to most of the incidents within the chapters of this delightful book. 

   The author really does love his dogs and what I love about him is that he does learn from various everyday occurrences. He is open to God showing him the smallest of lessons, in the humblest of ways. Not every man is willing to take lessons from his dog! 

   Although I am not an all-out dog lover, I am fond of animals and loved my little Paisley pup who died a couple of years ago. I do heartily agree that dogs have this undying loyalty and affection which humans would do well to emulate. ;)
I remember Paisley, my little terrier would faithfully follow me whenever we arrived home from church (the rare day that I was absent from the home) and patiently wait, crouched in front of my locked door. When I (sometimes after a long while, depending on the state of my wardrobe) opened the door, she would adoringly shower me with kisses and roll over in submission. Our current dogs have the same loyalty although will less patience and adoration. I love how dogs will continue to seek out those they love, not abashed by previous scoldings or cold shoulders. I agree with the author of Stay that humans would find relationships easier if they approached friends with as much optimism and love.
  It may annoy some readers that the author of this book learnt so many deep lessons from being with his pets, but I thought it was good of him to be open to the Lord's teaching in his life. This isn't the deepest or most theological book obviously, but it is full of good thoughts and will please any animal lover!
   Dave Burchett has organized the book into different chapters such as ''unconditional love'', ''live in the moment'', and like subjects. The book is easy to comprehend and keeps the reader's interest throughout the chapters.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. 

Our Triska and Scampy

 Amazing (Furry) Lessons from a Dog's Life

You'll be enthralled by this story of a man and his lovable Labrador retriever, Hannah, and what their canine friendship can show us about life, grace, and long walks in the park.Hannah was Dave's best friend. He couldn't imagine starting a day without her tail wagging an energetic greeting, her body wiggling with sheer gratitude when her food dish was filled, and her unbridled enthusiasm for tennis balls. (How she fit three tennis balls in her mouth at once he'll never know.)So when Dave first learned of Hannah's cancer diagnosis, he decided to take whatever time he had left with Hannah to cherish the moments and capture his thoughts in a journal. As he wrote about his canine friend, he soon realized that Hannah was an able (and furry) mentor of faith, grace, kindness, and forgiveness. The lessons were invaluable: from "being present" to "trusting the master." When Hannah lived well past the expected time frame, Dave started to see that the insights he was gaining were more than just journal entries about a family pet. Through Hannah's antics, God was preparing Dave for life itself.You won't want to miss this heartwarming tale of a dog who knew how to live . . . and showed her owner how