Papp's follow-up book to Madeline Finn and the Library Dog is just as pleasing and informative and my young readers loved it. Bonnie, the library dog that helped Madeline gain confidence as a reader, has given birth to the litter of puppies, and Madeline is told she may have one. Well, the time has come and the smallest puppy chooses Madeline as her perfect person. Madeline also learns about shelter dogs, and after visiting a shelter, she notices how unhappy the dogs, cats, bunnies, and birds look with no one to love them. Seeing how much her new puppy like to be read to, Madeline comes up with an idea for the people in her neighborhood to help the shelter animals feel cared about and maybe even find a forever home - just bring blankets and books. But will volunteer readers show up? This is a sweet, heartwarming story with wonderful mixed-media illustrations. A bonus - you can download a great activity kit full of things that kids can do courtesy of the publisher, Peachtree, HERE

Thank you for the free review book, NetGalley. This is a fun follow-up to Madeline Finn and the Library Dog, which was a Show-Me Rader book award finalist in Missouri last year. Kindergarten and first grade students loved the first book, and I know they'll love this one too. It's a happy continuation of the first book.

Madeline Finn and the Shelter Dog

written and illustrated by Lisa Papp

If you like kids and reading and you have a heart for shelter dogs, then you will enjoy sharing Madeline Finn and the Shelter Dog by Lisa Papp with a child in your life. The storyline is simple. A little girl, Madeline, begs her mother for a puppy. Mrs. Dimple, who volunteers at a shelter, has a rescue dog, Bonnie, with some pups. Madeline is allowed to choose one, and in the process she learns about shelters where animals wait for their forever homes as well as how to care for her new puppy. Madeline is a girl of action. She not only helps at the shelter, she also rallies her community to bring blankets and books to read to the shelter animals. Madeline Finn and the Shelter Dog is a sweet read with gentle and engaging illustrations.

I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Peachtree Publishers (Myrick Marketing) for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4/5

Category: Children’s Fiction

Publication: March 1, 2019—Peachtree Publishers (Myrick Marketing)

This is actually the second book in a series of kids books.  Madeline goes to a shelter and sees lots of animals that need homes.  She also see that they need blankets and company.  Madeline decides to get donations from neighbors and organizes a group of kids to come and read to the animals.  I love the idea of this book because it is so important to educate the next generation about animals needing homes in a shelter.  The pictures are adorable and I feel like the story is realistic because young children can do the things Madeline is doing in this book.  They may need some adult help but for the most part, kids can make a difference too.

I loved 'Madeline Finn and the Library Dog', so I was excited to get an advanced copy of 'Madeline Finn and the Shelter Dog'. Like the first book in the series, it is a sweet and gentle story with beautiful illustrations. I think many kids can relate to Madeline and her struggles with reading.

The book has a sweet message about empathy, kindness, and taking action without being heavy-handed. I think it can encourage kids to do something about an issue in their community, as Madeline does in the story.

I look forward to buying a copy of this book for our library, and recommending it to students.

A heart-warming story about how even the youngest kids can make a huge difference in the lives of their communities. Madeline Finn finally convinces her mother to let her adopt a dog, but then Madeline realizes there are too many dogs that don't have homes. Through her compassion she gathers towels for old blankets and organizes an event for people to come read to the other animals at the shelter. Not only do the animals receive companionship, some even find new homes.

A great book for preschoolers and early elementary readers. Soft illustrations accompany the text and make this a great book for bedtime reading.

Another great Madeline Finn story! Madeline gets to adopt one of Bonnie's puppies, but she then learns about the animal shelter where there are many animals without a home. Madeline Finn hatches a plan to help these animals that need blankets and to know that they are loved.

Thank you, Net Galley, and Lisa Papp for allowing me to see the unedited proof. This book is adorable. It introduces children to caring for others, and the importance of volunteering. Simple illustrations and sentences bring to light how many animals live in shelters without being scary or hopeless to young readers. A sweet book that will appeal to animal lovers.

Another delight starring Madeline Finn! The book starts soon after book one, when Bonnie's puppies are ready for new homes. The puppy talk leads Madeline to learn about shelter animals and want to help. The illustrations are soft and sweet and have the perfect tone for the story. I loved the happy ending. Highly recommend!

Once I’d been approved to review this book, I discovered it had a prequel. Thanks to my local library (yay!), I got to read that one too. Now Madeline is reading up a storm and trying to get her own puppy. Once her mother agrees, Madeline picks out one of Bonnie’s white fluff puppies and soon Madeline is reading to Star. Mrs. Dimple tells Madeline that Bonnie originally came from an animal shelter which leads Madeline to visit it too. But who plays with or reads to shelter dogs? Madeline has an idea – a reading idea! And soon the shelter looks like a library filled with children, blankets and books. I like that the story isn’t preachy and moments of brief sadness are followed up with happiness as Madeline and Star help make a difference. B+

My grandson loved Madeline Finn and the library dog, so I know he will love this one even more. Madeline gets a puppy and names it Star. She tells Star she loves her, reads to her, plays with her and covers her with her blanket when she sleeps. When she visits the shelter with Mrs. Dimple and her dog Bonnie, she sees a lot of lonely and uncomfortable jobs. She gets to work to help rectify the situation. I love the large, vibrant illustrations that accompany the story. Not only does this book encourage reading, but also teaches about rescuing animals from the shelters and how much love those animals have to give their owners. A definite must for family, school, classroom and public libraries.

This is a sweet book about a girl who starts a reading program at the local animal shelter. Madeline is a character with heart as she cares about the animals, thinks about their needs, and comes up with a solution to address a problem. Madeline Finn and the Library Dog is one of my favorite books and this is a great follow-up.

Madeline Finn wants to have a dog all her own so badly. She hounds her mother every day until her mother finally concedes and agrees that Madeline can indeed have a dog . Madeline is thrilled and off the two go to Mrs. Dimple's house. Her dog Bonnie has given birth to puppies that need a forever home.

Once at Mrs. Dimple's, Madeline sits down and remains very still. She closes her eyes and whispers her puppy's new name, Star. To her great delight the littlest one comes right over to her and crawls up on her lap. She has been chosen!!! How fun.

Mrs. Dimple then proceeds to tell Madeline and her mother about animal shelters and they decide to visit one. Seeing such a variety of animals there generates many questions in Madeline's curious mind. Who plays with these lonely shelter animals? Does anyone snuggle with them or read to them? If not, maybe she can volunteer to be that person to visit and help out? The workers at the shelter are very happy to oblige Madeline's offer of becoming a volunteer. Madeline explores her options as to how she can be of service to these animals and make a difference in their lives as they await their forever homes.

She brings in towels that the animals can use for beds to snuggle with. She becomes a goodwill ambassador to her neighbours and encourages them to be donors too. She organizes a special reading day for kids to bring blankets and a book to read to the lonely animals. She is committed to being the best volunteer ever!

Madeline learns some very valuable life lessons when she gets involved at the animal shelter. She discovers that even small people can make a huge difference and are very much appreciated when they do. This heartwarming book will perhaps encourage and inspire the reader ( and the whole family ) to become a volunteer also. I highly recommend this book.

Madeline Finn is my new favorite reading advocate, and my new favorite shelter advocate, and well she's just the best! In this installment, she learns about shelter animals, and works hard to make them feel better - getting them blankets, and organizing her community to come read to them. As I said in my review of the first Madeline Finn book (and the Library Dog) - "Who's cutting onions in here? *sniffle*" Aww all the feels!

Super sweet story about Madeleine getting a puppy and learning about all the dogs at the shelter who don’t have someone to love them. She decided to take on the responsibility of showing them a little bit of love and puts up a notice at the library hoping that others would join in too.

Very good message to young children. Message is great and enjoyed the illustrations.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher, Myrick Marketing & Media LLC and Peachtree Publishing, for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Illustrations and the plight of a shelter dog was well told. No mention of why to get your pet altered and why the dog had puppies. .

Madeline Finn has been asking for a puppy. Finally, her six birthday arrives and she gets her wish. She agrees to take responsibility for her puppy. She learns what a shelter is and after visiting one she has many questions. After she learns how and why the animals are there, Madeline thinks of a way to help them.

This story is written in a clear and concise manner. It contains the language that a young child would use and understand. The amount of words per page are such that a young reader could read with only a tad bit of help or encouragement.

The illustrations are superb. They are cute but not overdone. Both people and animals are portrayed in a realistic fashion that still inspire a feeling of warmth.

I found this book to be enjoyable and informational at that same time. I read it to my 5-year-old grandson. When the question of what a shelter is appeared, I asked him the same question. Like Madeline, he had no idea what that was. After reading this book, he not only knew what a shelter was but could also explain the purpose and that they were where animals wait for “forever families.”
He spontaneously stated, “I like this book!”. That is the first time that he has expressed such a sentiment on his own after reading something new. A lover of books, he typically shows his positive review by simply choosing it to read the next time.

This is a great book to teach children about an animal shelter. However, it is such a quality book, parents should choose it for the writing and illustrations, as well. It is simply a joy to read.


I received an ARC from Peachtree Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book.

Oh, my heart!

Shelter dogs. Books. Children reading. This basically sums up my 5 star rating, but I may be slightly biased, being that I'm a dog-loving youth services librarian.

This is so sweet and would be really great read for a library that's want to start a program where the children read to dogs. There are benefits to both the children and the dogs, so it's a win-win situation, as far as I'm concerned.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for my early review. This book releases on March 1, 2019. In my opinion, this is a must buy for all public library and school library collections. Now, go read a book and hug your dog.

I love this picture book about a girl who adopts a puppy and then learns about shelter dogs. Although her dog was not a shelter dog she donates materials and starts a read to the dogs at the shelter and gathers people to help. Excellent message!

My styudents enjoy "Madeline Finn and the Library Dog." I was excited to see "Madeline Finn and the Shelter Dog." It has the same type of beautiful illustrations and heart warming story as the first book. In this installment, Madeline learns of shelter dogs and is trouble that they do not have a home or get the love they deserve. She begins by collecting donations and visiting the dogs herself. When she sees that she can't give each dog the love it deserves, she sets into action a plan that will involve the community. A very cute book, it will definitely join our library collection.