Charlotte is Catching up on Her Reading and has a Surprise Recommendation

Charlotte has a book recommendation, My Big Dog by Janet Stevens and Susan Crummel. The title is somewhat deceiving. The story's narrator  Merl, a very independent and cantankerous cat, is much like Charlotte. 
Merl can only take so much -- those puppy noises, the chasing, the licking -- the dog is total ick! Merl is quick to point out the differences between the two. "I think it likes me. I think it wants to be my friend. NO WAY. I am a cat and it is a dog." In the end however, Merl sets down some very definite rules and acknowledges that he and the dog can definitely be friends. 
During these uncertain times, when all of the news can seem bad, there are many real life stories just like My Big Dog, where neighbors help neighbors, strangers show kindness to strangers, and people put their differences aside. My Big Dog is available in paperback from Amazon, https://www.amazon.com/My-Big-Dog-Golden-Classic/dp/0375851038/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=my+big+dog&qid=1584714206&sr=8-1

Thank you Anonymous Book Buyer

A couple of years ago one of our wonderful volunteers, Frank D., gave  me a book, May I Pet Your Dog? -- the How-to Guide for KIDS Meeting DOGS (and DOGS Meeting KIDS), by Stephanie Calmesnon.  Harry, a long-haired, chocolate-dappled dachshund takes a nameless  boy, and readers, on a walk in the neighborhood where many dogs, and their people are properly met. Harry is forthright with sound, practical  advice -- When you see me coming, ask my owner, "May I pet your dog?"  
I decided to purchase the book for every school that I visit.  May I Pet Your Dog? -- the How-to Guide for KIDS Meeting DOGS (and DOGS Meeting KIDS), and many other wonderful picture books, and chapter books, highlighting relationships between companion animals and people are featured on the League's recommended reading lists.   The reading lists are given to educators.  Many of the books on the lists are posted on our wish list.   Yesterday, for the first time ever, a box came from Amazon for me.  In it was a copy of May I Pet Your Dog? -- the How-to Guide for KIDS Meeting DOGS (and DOGS Meeting KIDS) and a copy of one of my all-time favorite books, My Big Dog by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel.  My Big Dog is a fun read about friendship and it is narrated by one very cantankerous cat named Merl.  My cat, Merl, who just happens to be in my office today, was named for the bossy brown tabby in the story.  We adopted Merl nearly 11-years ago, and at that time, I was reading My Big Dog to my then nearly 4-year-old son, Max.   Both of these wonderful books will be given to West Education Campus, where the principal, Ms. Caruthers, is working very hard to build an extensive library for her students.  Thank you kind book angel for surprising me with two of my favorite books that I can now pass on young animal-loving readers.  

Any of the books listed throughout the blog would be TERRIFIC  additions to any personal or lending library.