Nadine, My Funny and Trusty Guide Dog
Written by: Carol Chiodo Fleischman
Illustrated by: Stephanie Ford
Published by: Pelican Publishing Company, USA 2015
Ages: 8 – 12 years
Theme: Trust, respect, teamwork
Opening Lines: One morning soon after I came home from the guide dog school, I woke up and stepped down on the cold floor. My foot brushed over a soft lump, so I picked it up. Phew! Were these dirty socks? I guessed right.
Synopsis: (from amazon) In this delightful true story told through a first-person narrative, a sight-impaired young woman describes how her service dog, Nadine, loves to play tricks around the house. From hiding dirty laundry to avoiding her harness, Nadine is quite mischievous! Their first day together as a team is the focus of this story. Through the struggles to get ready, the sheer enjoyment of the winter day, and the scary moments along the way, Nadine proves herself trustworthy and reliable-that is, until they return home and she gets into mischief again!
Why I like this: I love the illustrations of crisp, humorous drawings in wintery colours. This book provides a fascinating glimpse into life with a guide dog. The relationship between a blind person and her canine companion, Nadine, is explored in this charming and informative tale of a playful young dog. This true story set during the onset of a major snow-storm and it demonstrates the mixture of serious work and playfulness of these valuable and beautiful animals.
(from Amazon) Carol Chiodo Fleischman is a professional writer who just happens to be legally blind. Since 1992, she has used a guide dog for mobility, and her articles frequently focus on life as a visually impaired person, especially the joys and challenges of working with a guide dog. Her writing has appeared in books, magazines, and newspapers including the New York Times Syndicate, Guideposts, the Buffalo News, The Simon & Schuster Short Prose Reader, and Chicken Soup for the Soul. She has been a member of the Association of Professional Women Writers for more than twenty years.
Fleischman volunteers with GuildCare, an active speaker at schools and many international conferences. She and her husband share their home in New York with her trusted guide dog.
Resources/Findings:
Protecting Pets: Do you have a safety plan for your pet in the event of a disaster. Here is a link that kids may find interesting, create conversation and awareness… http://protectyourpet.worldanimalprotection.org.nz/?id=K2016W26&gclid=Cj0KEQjwmri_BRCZpaHkuIH75_IBEiQAIG0rIVx94HauYhQgBCVFJP1d5qskHWz8054t-JJ8k4Epys8aAkxB8P8HAQ
Here is a link to the Foundation of the Blind – puppies here in NZ . Maybe you have one in your area…. https://blindfoundation.org.nz/get-involved/guide-dogs/
More facts about guide dogs… http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/5469575/Wanted-Homes-for-guide-pups
I’m always pleased to be able to bring you some more special books that have come my way and be able to share them with you and join other great writers over at Susanna’s Blog, where there are literally hundreds of book reviews to view. So pop over and visit the lovely author, Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and find the tab for Perfect Picture Books. Her blog is full of resources links and activities associated with books reviewed by many authors
Writer and Dreamer at work 
How wonderful! Guide dogs are so special and kids would love to read about this one!
Wow Darlene you are so fast. lol. I love the guide dog puppies that I sometimes see in the shopping malls. They are gorgeous but of course you can’t touch them. They are so special and have an enormous job to do. Kids would love this book. Thanks so much for popping on so quickly. Hope you have a great weekend. 🙂
This sounds like a terrific book. I’m sure many kids see guide dogs at work and wonder about them. Have you seen the picture books about tiny Lola, a Yorkie service dog? They’re adorable with photos as illustrations. From Creston Books.
Hi Lindsey, No I haven’t seen that one yet. Will look out for it. Thank you so much for stopping by.
Wonderful choice, Diane! So cool that the author has a true perspective about how this feels…I’m thinking it must be powerful writing. Will try to get a copy.
Diane…I didn’t mean it was cool she was blind…only that it was cool she truly understood how it would be to rely on a guide dog. 😉
Yes great to get a story from the blind perspective. An interesting story. So great to see you here and thanks so much for the link on facebook. You’re a hun.
I had wanted to write a book about disabilities and this is the second one I read about today. Check out the William Hoy story!
I greatly admire Flieshman for her perseverance in finding her talent. I Msut find her other books and read them. Way to go!
Thank you so much Clar so glad you liked this one. Yes I have read the William Hoy story. I so love these type of stories. So much heart. Thank you.
Such a great pick today. Kids will love this story about a girl and her fun-loving guide dog. I’m glad it’s based on a true story as it adds so much credibility to the experience. Great review!
Yes I agree Pat re the credibility on stories such as these. Thank you for stopping by. Have a great weekend.
I love stories about animals that help people – service animals, companions, rescue animals. Thanks for sharing this one.
Thank you it’s such a heart felt story which will teach kids about special animals doing special jobs. Glad you liked this one. Thanks for stopping by.
Great choice, Diane. I love picture books that highlight animals who serve kids and adults in some way. True stories are even better!
Yes I agree with you Joanna. True stories are even better. Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a great weekend.
Great review! This book sounds interesting. I will see if my library has it! 😀
Thanks Erik. I hope you have it in your library. Also hopping you are having a great weekend.