About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is begging for a puppy or struggling to understand why a new pet isn't behaving like a movie star right away. While many animal stories focus on the instant bond between child and pet, Goldie focuses on the work required to build that bond. The story follows siblings Jack and Lizzie as they foster a rambunctious Golden Retriever puppy who lacks basic manners. Through their journey, children learn that love involves patience, consistent boundaries, and the occasional mess. At a brief 76 pages, it is an ideal confidence-builder for early elementary readers. It tackles the emotional weight of fostering: loving an animal deeply while preparing to say goodbye so they can find their forever home. It is a gentle, realistic look at responsibility that validates both the frustration of training and the joy of success. Parents will appreciate how it models problem-solving and empathy without being overly sentimental or preachy.
