Madeline Finn and the Library Dog, Written and Illustrated by Lisa Papp

Madeline Finn hates to read. She especially hates to read out loud. She sometimes can't figure out the words, and some classmates giggle when she makes a mistake. Her teacher encourages Madeline to keep trying. Madeline would love to get a star sticker from her teacher, but stars are for good readers. The only sticker Madeline gets tells her to keep trying! Stars are for wishes, so Madeline wishes for a star sticker, but the whole week, Madeline doesn't get a star. When her mother takes Madeline to the library, she tells the librarian that she doesn't like to read. Today the library is special. the librarian takes Madeline to a room where there are dogs. Dogs in the library! She introduces Madeline to Bonnie, a beautiful white dog, and asks Madeline if she would like to read to Bonnie. Madeline decides to give it a try. As she reads to Bonnie, she makes many mistakes, but Bonnie doesn't giggle and listens patiently. Every Saturday Madeline reads to Bonnie. One day, Bonnie is not there, and Madeline is disappointed. On top of that, she is worried about reading at school, her mother tells her to pretend she's reading to Bonnie. Madeline is asked to read at school. She quietly starts to read, and before she knows it, she's done! Madeline has earned her star! Madeline goes to the library to tell the librarian she wants to give Bonnie her star. The librarian tells her that Bonnie has a surprise for her as well. She takes Madeline to Bonnie, and there she is...with her puppies!

A sweet book with a clear message for reluctant readers...keep reading! The pencil and watercolor drawings have a soft, vintage look to them and complement the tone of the text.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 3.5

Reading Level: 2.3 • Interest Level: K-3 • AR Points: 0.5 • Lexile Level: 520 • Publisher: Peachtree • Pages: 32 • Copyright: 2016 • ISBN: 978-1-561-45910-0 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

CYRM 2020/21 Nominee, Primary