Book Excellence Review
Milo Finds His Forever Home
Authors Steve and Nancy Devon have done an incredible job in writing this book. The storyline is original, the characters each have a unique and engaging personality and the themes help demonstrate important lessons about teamwork, compassion, and acceptance. There is also a good mix of both light and heavy moments, adding a stronger sense of realism to the story.
While Milo’s accident is heart-wrenching and hard to come to terms with, his experience at the
Milo Finds His Forever Home by Steve and Nancy Devon is a heartwarming children’s chapter book about a lovable and courageous dog named Milo whose rear legs are paralyzed in a car accident. Due to the severity of Milo’s injuries, he has to be fitted for a specialized dog wheelchair, an act that will change the way he lives and moves for the rest of his life. Once he is well enough, Milo is taken to an animal rescue center where he meets a host of new friends before being taken to his forever home.
animal rescue center, interacting with and getting to know the other dogs, is playful and fun. This is a great reminder that even in life’s most difficult moments, there is still hope, joy and love.
However, what truly makes Milo Finds His Forever Home stand out is how Milo’s experience is presented as one of empowerment instead of limitation. All of Milo’s new friends embrace him for who he is, as he is. This is a powerful lesson that will help teach children the importance of acknowledging and accepting each other’s differences and loving others for who they are, just as they are. For parents, educators, caregivers and librarians, this is a wonderful discussion starter and teaching tool that can help children learn about embracing differences.
A powerful story with an important message, Milo Finds His Forever Home is not to be missed.
Reader Views Kids Review
Tasha Goes To Puppy School
Reviewed by Kathy Stickles for Reader Views (12/2023)
“Tasha Goes to Puppy School” by Steve Devon is an enchanting picture book that will appeal to all young readers. It should also be on the shelf in all schools and libraries for children, as the book teaches a very valuable lesson all children should learn and understand….everyone is special in their own way; they just need to find out for themselves what makes them special.
“Tasha Goes to Puppy School” opens as a litter of puppies is brought into the world. Of these eleven puppies, Tasha is the smallest and therefore her life is a little bit tougher as it is not easy for her to get into the mix of all her siblings in order to eat and grow bigger and stronger. Finally, it is time for Tasha to head off to puppy school. While her teacher, Miss Dogbreath, has a lot of rules at school Tasha finds herself having fun anyway. While Tasha tries very hard to keep up with all the other puppies, she still has problems because she is smaller than all the rest.
As school ends the teacher makes sure that each of the puppies knows that they are special and there is a job out there in the world for each of them that will make them understand that. Tasha listens as some older dogs talk about their own jobs on the last day of school but continues to fret and worry because she just is not big enough or fast enough to do what they do. Tasha does not believe that she is special. Her teacher tells her that the biggest and best thing about Tasha is her heart and that is what will make her special. So, what does Tasha do to find her way? For that answer, you will need to read the story and I highly recommend that you do.
I just loved “Tasha Goes to Puppy School.” It is such a lovely and well-written story. It shows the struggle of a small puppy who wants so much to find her place and what makes her special. I think that is probably a lesson that needs to be learned whether you are a puppy or a child and this book makes one want to go out into the world and find the answer. The book is written in perfect rhyme, and it is just truly adorable (yes, I’m always a sucker for animals). What really brings the story together are the beautiful illustrations. Ms. Wong did an incredible job with these pictures, and they show every emotion on Tasha’s face.
I would recommend “Tasha Goes to Puppy School” by Steve Devon to every child, mom, and school librarian out there. It should be available to all because it is just that good. I think that all children will learn a lot about life and themselves, just like Tasha did when they are finished with the book. It is simply wonderful. 5 Stars!!
