Publishers Weekly
04/21/2014
This cheering story is based on a real-life Labradoodle that resides at the Ronald McDonald House in Houston. Though this “ball-chasing, tail-wagging, moon-howling pup” is too frisky to make the grade as a service, search-and-rescue, or show dog, Mogie finds his raison d’être after wandering into a “very special house in the heart of the Big City.” There he befriends Gage, “once a ball-chasing, race-running, back-flipping boy,” who is now in a wheelchair. Rosenthal’s (Bobo the Sailor Man) loosely drafted illustrations showcase Mogie’s devotion to Gage, while Appelt’s homey, emphatic tone (“Give that dog a puddle and he’d splash”) will ring familiar to readers of The Underneath and The True Blue Scouts of Sugarman Swamp. When Gage, much recovered, leaves for home, Mogie adopts another needy patient. Kids will find the narrator’s question, “Who wouldn’t love a dog like that?” very easy to answer. A warm tribute to a remarkable dog and to the workers at Ronald McDonald Houses, which will receive a share of proceeds from book sales. Ages 4–8. Agent: Holly McGhee, Pippin Properties. (June)
School Library Journal - Audio
09/01/2015
PreS-Gr 3—A gentle and encouraging story about a dog, Mogie, who is the pet at a home for children undergoing medical treatment. The Labradoodle proved too mischievous to act as a seeing-eye dog or to work in search and rescue, but he's well suited to therapy. The story, written by Kathi Appelt and illustrated with soft pastels by Marc Rosenthal (S. & S., 2014), is bolstered by camera movements across the static pictures, and narrator Susie Berneis has a pleasant voice perfectly matched to the content. Added sounds of seagulls at the beach and Mogie's barks are used to good effect. VERDICT An optimistic story for the very young, animal lovers, and those dealing with long-term illness.—C.A. Fehmel, St. Louis County Library, MO
Kirkus Reviews
2014-04-09
Mogie finds his purpose in this true story about the Houston Ronald McDonald House.Gage is a "ball-chasing, race-running, back-flipping little boy"…until he gets too sick to do any of those things, and his family flies to a very special house in a Big City. He's lost his mojo. And there, Mogie, a "ball-chasing, tail-wagging, moon-howling pup" who has failed at training for everything else, wanders in and knows just what to do. He intuits when Gage needs him to sit next to him quietly and when his antics will help him remember and look forward to brighter, healthier days. And slowly, Gage gets better and goes home. Mogie misses Gage, but now he's watching out for Antonia, "a toe-dancing, jump-roping, cartwheel-spinning girl" who's lost her cha-cha-cha. "Give this dog a bone and he'll chew it. Give him a stick and he'll fetch it. Give him a kiddo who is bluer than blue, and Mogie will be truer than true." Rosenthal's pencil, charcoal and digital illustrations wonderfully complement this emotional tale without tipping it into the saccharine. Colors help set the mood of each spread, and the scribbly style against a white background lends the illustrations a slightly retro feel. Wheelchairs and bald heads on a few children are the only indications of illness, aside from subdued posture.Mogie's one good dog, and readers will be awfully glad they've met him. (author's note) (Picture book. 4-8)
