This is the third Madeline Finn book we have read and we love them all. Madeline's dog Star is old enough to train as a therapy dog. They have to pass some tests to be certified so off they go to the local retirement home to see if Star is able to become certified. This is a great book for children to learn about many things. First thing is about therapy dogs. There are so many different therapy dog now, that this is a great thing to find out about. In this case it is a dog to visit in old age, retirement and care homes. Star is great at this, especially being so large and fluffy. The second thing is about care and friendship with older people. Madeline notices a man who is not happy and instead of moving on and ignoring him, she tries to cheer him up and find out what is wrong and how she can help. Of course, Star does what she is supposed to do, but this is a great learning point. We love the amazing illustrations that accompany this story. They add a lot to the understanding of what is going on. I definitely recommend this book to schools, classrooms, public libraries and families. My grandson was quite interested in the retirement home and why the people were there. We talked about how they couldn't live alone anymore or have a pet, but that visiting therapy animals make them so happy. He decided that he would take care of me if I couldn't live by myself anymore. The innocence of youth.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book was cute, I loved the style and story

When I saw this book, I knew I had to read it right away. I adored the last book. We have reading dogs at our library and the kids love them. This time, one of Bonny's pups is getting ready to become a certified therapy dog. With Madeline Finn by his side to practice and encourage him, will he pass his tests? Find out in this sweet and heartwarming sequel.

Some picture books just make an adult tear up and this one did it for me. Madeline Finn is a little girl training her dog to be a therapy specialist. But there is one man at the nursing home that will take a bit extra to make you smile. This is a lovely tale and the illustrations match. There is a bit of diversity in the characters, but not much.

This is a sweet picture book, with a calm, steady pace. It is a perfect book for teaching children about therapy dogs, both what they do & how they train. It also shows that getting to be good at something can take time, and that mistakes can happen, and that's okay. Young dog lovers will especially enjoy this book!

It's not necessary to read the first Madeline Finn book, but this one does make a couple references to the first book.

I read this book with my young daughter so that we could learn more about therapy dogs. The story was well thought out and paced well. The illustrations helped tell the story of a girl who was in the process of training a therapy dog. This is a good book for ages 4-8.
Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity to review this book for my honest opinion.

Not only does this delightful children's book capture the magic a therapy dog can bring to the people he visits, the story also makes it clear that becoming a therapy dog takes practice. I especially love how the child Madeline Finn is the handler learning how to train her dog.

On Star's first birthday, Madeline Finn recalls how she and Finn have been learning to greet people, ignore distractions, and remain neutral around other dogs. They're ready for the three test visits to a local retirement home.

During those three test visits, Madeline Finn identifies skills that she and Star could improve upon. She really wants her dog to pass the therapy dog test, and this book demonstrates how consistent training pays off.

The illustrations are beautiful. Soft pastels and neutral palettes highlight Star's white fluffiness. Madeline Finn carries her comfort bunny everywhere and wears the cutest little leggings that may or may not match her jumper, but who cares because she's so darn cute.

This whole series is spectacular. The illustrations make everything look sweet and hug-able. As with the first two books in the series, reading plays a role in the story along with Madeline and the dogs. I don't know that I could read this one out loud because I got choked up on nearly every page. Madeline is her usual sweet self, eager to see Star succeed in his training and eager to help out the residents at the retirement home. She's appropriately coached by the adults in her life, while still letting her be the star of the story and letting her make choices and figure things out. This series is always at the top of my picture book list. Don't miss the latest addition.

Madeline Finn is back and this time she's training her dog to be a therapy dog at a senior living facility. A very sweet read about all that it takes and the lessons that can be learned with a therapy dog.

This book is very sweet and very important at this time. We are all going through tough times and Madeline Finn helps work with her therapy dog to do this at the local retirement center. While working with "newbie" Star (therapy dog in-training) she strives to make a difference for the residents.
To accomplish this she must have perseverance and work hard. This is important in our SEL curriculums too- work hard and it pays off.

The illustrations are beautiful, stand out among so many books published. I love this addition to the "Madeline Finn" books.

Madeline has a pet dog named Star. Star is training to become a therapy dog. Star has to pass three tests to become a therapy dog. Madeline is anxious if Star will pass the tests and trains Star for the tests. The tests will be held at a Retirement Village.

Star is polite and allows the residents of the Retirement village to pet him. One of the residents, Mr. Humphrey, is aloof and does not react to the charms of Star. Can Star and Madeline bring a change in Mr. Humphrey’s attitude? Will Star become a therapy dog?

I loved the cute illustrations of Madeline and Star in this book. It is a feel-good story that will warm your heart. This is the third book in the Madeline Finn series and I am planning to read the other two as well. This book will be of interest to kids who have or like to have a dog as a pet.

Madeline Finn trained therapy dog Star. Star is going to the nursing home to take his therapy dog test. I loved this book, the pictures were amazing, and Madeline Finn has a heart of gold.

Madeline Finn and the Therapy Dog is a great way to introduce therapy animals to children!

This is the perfect picture book to introduce one great resource for mental and physical health. It's got incredible illustrations and a wonderful story to share with children. Watching Star go help people was absolutely beautiful and made me tear up a bit. It's such an important story to share!

Four out of five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Peachtree Publishing Company for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Peachtree Publishing for access to this arc.


Yay, Madeline Finn and her puppy Star are back! This time Star is not only celebrating a birthday (complete with his stuffed animal friends) but also training to be a therapy dog with Madeline. They’ve worked hard and do well when tested – even when things are required that they haven’t worked on such as elevators. But it takes a reminder to Madeline that she has to be willing to accept people as they are, the way Bonnie first accepted Madeline in the reading program. With some patience, Star and Madeline bring a smile to everyone. I love how earnest and hard working both Madeline and Star are and how willing to help them everyone else is. B+

Sweet Story about Becoming a Therapy Dog

Young Madeline Finn wants her dog, Star, to be a therapy dog. Before the book starts, she has already done some training with the dog, and the book is about how he has to go through 3 tests at the retirement home before he can become a certified therapy dog. The illustrations managed to be both realistic and endearing. In particular, the little girl and her dog are super cute. While Star mostly does well, there is one man at the retirement home whom neither Madeline nor Star can seem to get through to. This teaches young Madeline a lesson about patience and accepting people for who they are. It was a sweet scene with Madeline, Star, and Mr. Humphrey when he finally warmed to them. That perhaps the book ended a little abruptly, but the story is sweet and has several good messages.

I received this e-book from NetGalley.

Madeline Finn is back with another picture book featuring her dog Star. Star is preparing to become a therapy dog and after a couple of visits to the local retirement home, Madeline Finn learns more about herself, too. This book is so pretty and I know my elementary students enjoy any book about dogs. I am hopeful they are learning the lessons Papp presents.

This is a gentle story about patience and empathy. It also introduces children to the rewards of volunteer work.

This is an adorable story! The graphics go perfectly well with it. This tale of how a puppy is trained to help others-physically and mentally from a child’s perspective is engrossing as well as informative. Great story to read at storytime, especially if a therapy dog comes to visit. Parents will enjoy reading this as well.
This book deserves to be on everyone’s bookshelf!
I received an advanced reader copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

What a delightful story. I have a Therapy Dog named Stella and Lisa Papp does a great job of depicting what a therapy dog does. With beautiful illustrations and a heartwarming story, this book will delight children and adults alike.❣️

I love this series. They're just just so pleasant to read. Following Madeline Finn and Star on their new adventure is as lovely as ever. Still with themes of helping others and community. Still adorable.