This is a really cute book. I had never heard of Gobi until I saw this picture book, and was surprised, when I read the edition for adults, to learn what a huge deal Gobi had been in the online world. I read this picture book to one of my little boys, and he enjoyed the story about this dog who found a man running across the Gobi Desert and attached herself to him. It was a good introduction to a little-known part of the world, too!
I received an ecopy of this book from NetGalley and chose to write a review.

The pictures in this book are stunningl and I love how the story was told for little ones to understand. The message of perseverance, trust, and love are great lessons for children to learn and what better way than through an adorable puppy! I will be buying a hard copy of this book for sure!

I don’t think I’ve ever read a dog story without either crying or grinning through it. GOBI: A LITTLE DOG WITH A BIG HEART was no different. Based on a true story, this sweet picture book is about how a scraggly little pup in the middle of the Gobi desert finds her forever friend in Dion Leonard. Dion is all set to win a long and arduous race across the desert when he finds the puppy running alongside him one day, whom he promptly names after the place they’ve met in. And that’s where she stays throughout the journey—right beside him, braving the most difficult conditions. At one point, the strength of their bond is tested when Dion has to choose between his friend and winning the race.
The story is simply told and achingly heart-warming, and will make for great classroom reading as well as something kids can snuggle up to before bed. I wasn’t overly fond of the art and the way the text has been laid out. I feel like there could have better text-image integration, but of course, this is a largely subjective view. The only other thing that didn’t work for me in the book is the beginning, which feels a bit rushed. I would have liked to know a little more about Gobi before she meets Dion. And though there’s an author’s note at the back telling us what happened to Gobi after the end of the story, I feel a bit of it could have been incorporated in the main narrative. But that could also just be me displaying Greedy Reader Syndrome!

Everyone loved a good dog story and Gobi is a good one! Gobi proves he is a good friend as he encourages Dion when he is tired during the seven day race. I would have liked to seen a few actual photographs of Gobi and the cat, Lara.

Gobi: A Little Dog with a Big Heart is an adorable picture book based on a true story. The author did a great job of making the story and illustrations pleasing to young children. There is also a book for older children called Finding Gobi: Young Reader's Edition. Dion Leonard is running a 177 mile race of the Gobi Desert. He meets this little dog partway through the race and realizes that he is running with him. He names him Gobi after the desert. They complete the journey together with some trials and tribulations. When the race ends, Dion adopts Gobi and takes him home to Scotland to be part of the family with his wife and cat. I loved the illustrations in this book. They are large, colourful and fun. They will certainly hold the young child's attention. This book shows the plight of abandoned animals in a positive way. Everyone cannot adopt an abandoned animal from somewhere else in the world, but they can do it in their own communities from their local shelters. The book also stresses perseverance and fulfilling your promises. A great story for a family library, primary classroom, schools or public libraries.

Based on a true story, this beautifully illustrated picture book will beguile the young and young at heart with an adorable story about a man, a dog and the desert.

Gobi won over Dion Leonard’s heart as he was running a multi-day marathon in the Gobi Desert and the story of how Gobi then became a part of Dion’s journey to the finish line and his family won over the world.

Leonard does a great job of condensing the story down to something that will hold the attention span of young children with pictures that will surely embrace their attention with its vivid color pallet and eye pleasing designs.

This is one of those stories adults will love reading to kids because it’s so positive and upbeat with a real world happy ending.