Compassion, Even in Dogs, Mends All Hurts -- Muffy and Valor by @karlbeckstrand #bookreview #kidlit
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  • N. N. Light
    • May 15, 2018
    • 3 min read

Compassion, Even in Dogs, Mends All Hurts -- Muffy and Valor by @karlbeckstrand #bookreview #kidlit


Title: Muffy and Valor

Author: Karl Beckstrand (Author), Brandon Rodriguez (Illustrator)

Genre: Children’s Books, Dogs, Non-Fiction

Book Blurb:

Muffy is a little dog who loves people; but after a painful injury she is wary of other dogs. Valor is a lost German shepherd who gets hit by a car. When Muffy’s family brings Valor home to recover, no one is sure what Muff will do.

This tender picture book teaches compassion, friendship, trust, and courage (kids ages 4 – 7 including any with a fear of dogs). Includes finding activity (count the different dogs).

700 English words in dyslexic-friendly font by award-winning children’s author Karl Beckstrand (Mini-mysteries for Minors [multicultural/bilingual series]), illustrated by Brandon Rodriguez, 28-page, 8.5”x8.5” hard cover, soft cover, or ebook picture book with Hispanic family, minority child, big dogs, and online extras for dog lovers (worldwide rights © Sept. 2017 Premio Publishing) PremioBooks.com, Baker & Taylor/Follett, Brodart, Ingram, Amazon/Kindle, Barnes & Noble/Nook, EBSCO, Overdrive, iTunes, Kobo, and select retailers. JNF003060, JNF053060, JNF053050, JNF003170, JNF018030, JNF053220, JNF024070, LCCN: 2017939481, eISBN: 978-1370601592, Hard ISBN: 978-0985398842, Soft ISBN: 978-1479315574

My Review:

Compassion, even in dogs, mends all hurts.

Muffy is a little white dog who loves Carlos very much but she doesn’t like other dogs. Why? A big dog bit her once and she had to have stitches. She barks loudly at other dogs and refuses to befriend any other dogs.

Valor is a big dog who lives on the other side of town. One day he went for a walk without his owner, Bill. He got lost and while trying to cross a busy street, a car hit him. Carlos, Muffy’s owner, spots Valor hurt and run home to get his mum. Together, they take Valor to the vet to get stitched up and bring him home. Will Muffy befriend a dog that’s hurt like she was once, or will she continue to hate all big dogs?

A delightful, touching story about helping others, compassion and the unconditional love of pets. Beautifully illustrated and a good message: another 5-star gem from Karl Beckstrand!

Based on two real-life dogs and a little boy (the author).

My Rating: 5 stars

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Author Biography:

Karl Beckstrand is the award-winning and bestselling author of 18 multicultural titles and more than 50 e-books (reviews by Kirkus, The Horn Book blog, School Library Journal, ForeWord Reviews). Beckstrand earned a B.A. in journalism from BYU, an M.A. in international relations from APU, and a certificate from Film A. Academy. He used to be a technical recruiter in Silicon Valley. Two publishers produced his early picture books (the first died the day they were to print his book!). Since 2004 he has guided Premio Publishing & Gozo Books. An engaging speaker and workshop facilitator, Beckstrand has experience in high tech, public policy, film, and broadcasting. He teaches media at a state college—including TV/radio scripts and Web content—and contrasts traditional publishing with digital book publishing. His Y.A. fiction, short stories, kids’ e-book mysteries, nonfiction/biographies, Spanish & bilingual books (with ESL/ELL pronunciation guides), and wordless books feature characters of color and usually end with a twist. He has lived abroad, been a Spanish/English interpreter, and he enjoys volleyball and kayaking (usually not at the same time). Beckstrand has presented for SUECON (education conference), Taiwan’s Global Leadership for Youth, California's Capital Book Festival, Utah Educational Library Media Association, Called to Learn conference, Salt Lake City Book Festival, PCI Webinars, Utah Humanities Council, Profnet, Murray City Writer’s Workshop, Utah Housing Coalition, LUW, Midvale City Reading Program, Utah Office of Education, professional groups, and schools. His racially diverse work has appeared in: Amazon, Baker & Taylor, Barnes & Noble, Border’s Books, Brodart, Costco, Deseret Book, The Children’s Miracle Network, The Congressional Record of the U.S. House of Representatives, Papercrafts Magazine, LDS Film Festival, EBSCO, Follett, iBooks, Kobo, SCRIBD, various broadcasts

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Reviewed by: Mrs. N

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