The theme for today seems to be compassion and dogs. Earlier today I shared a book about a young girl learning compassion through her dog. Now I am sharing a book about a dog who learns compassion by listening. The book is Willie's Gift by Clairmarie H. Field and illustrated by Maggie Sullivan.
About the Book:
Willie’s Gift Written by Clairmarie H. Field and Illustrated by Maggie SullivanAges: 5-7 | 20 Pages | Publisher: Mascot Kids (2025) | ISBN: 979-8891383289
Publisher’s Book Summary: Willie is a silky-beige and rust-colored Yorkshire terrier puppy with one problem. He was born with exceptionally large ears. He knows that he does not look like other puppies in his dog training classroom, and he feels a little strange. How will he learn to accept himself? In Willie’s Gift, read how Willie discovers the perfect solution while learning something very important about himself in the process.
Purchase Links:
About the Author:
Clairmarie Field is a writer, reading therapist, mother of eight children and an animal lover. She is passionate about teaching children with reading difficulties to learn to enjoy reading. CM BookWorks has evolved from years of instructing children through remediation or enrichment. By nudging children to stretch their thinking, they can learn to view life’s challenges in a positive way. Clairmarie hopes that CM BookWorks will provide a resource for parents seeking thoughtful consideration of abstract concepts that are difficult for young children to grasp.
Clairmarie has written for Adoption Today, as well as community interest stories, and Justin’s Pet, her first book. She resides in Delaware with her husband and daughter, and of course her six cats, two dogs, and chickens.
To learn more, check out cmbookworks.com.
From Me:
In this sweet book we follow Willie who is a small dog with big ears. At times he worries about his big ears but he learns that they are a gift. He learns to listen. It helps him do well in is training class but also helps him have compassion when he visits a great aunt in a nursing home and soon visits other residents. They each share stories with him and he listens well and shows his love.
I love the simplicity of this story. It is a story about a puppy figuring out who he is. It is also a story about compassion and how everyone including animals can have and can need it. Willie's big ears help him listen and in the nursing home (assisted living) he discovers that by listening to people's stories he is helping them, and it makes him happy. Now having parents in assisted living and memory care I know what a difference an animal visiting makes to many people in these places. The faces light up and smiles appear where there often aren't smiles anymore. These people have left their lives behind and often feel alone and the animals visiting are company that doesn't have expectations. They don't have to put on a show or do anything besides be themselves. This is so important to everyone but especially to people who are older and cannot get out much anymore.
This book has some important messages built into the sweet story. Willie is worried about his large ears and whether other dogs will accept him. He worries that his ears make him look funny. Now many kids have something that makes them feel like they stand out. They can relate to Willie. I love that Willie's ears are made into the good part of him. Ears are for listening and Willie is an amazing listener! His gift is listening to people's stories, so his gift are his ears. His ears that were the thing that he worried about not fitting in. Talk about a message kids need to hear! There is also the other message about listening to the elderly's stories and showing compassion for them. Often elderly people are brought to these homes because the family members cannot care for them or don't have the time to care for them, but it is important to maintain visits and making sure they are all right. This is an important message for kids as well. Visiting these places is not always a fun thing to do but it is important to care for and listen to the loved ones there.
Giveaway:
Your review really captures the concept of service that is part of the theme of Willie’s Gift.
ReplyDeleteBob F.
Thank you!!
DeleteThank you for your astute review of my book “Willie’s Gift “. You really captured the themes of the book and there were a few! I appreciate the opportunity to be represented on your site .
ReplyDeleteClairmarie H Field
Www.cmbookworks.com
Thank you!! I really enjoyed it!
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