Soaring Soren: When French Bulldogs Fly

by Deborah Stevenson, Krista Hill (Editor), Morgan Spicer (Illustrator)

Overview

"His legs are too short!" "His head is too big!"

Soren the French Bulldog is an unlikely champion in the athletic sport of dog agility, or so many people think. But Soren has something his critics can't readily see: belief in himself. With that, and the support of his friend Deb, Soren sets out to prove that champions come in all shapes and sizes.

The inspiring true story of a little dog with a big dream and an even bigger heart.

"Soaring Soren helps teach children that with a little hard work, if they can dream it, they can achieve it. A wonderful message and a delightful book." ~Feathered Quill

THIS SECOND ANNIVERSARY EDITION CONTAINS PHOTOS OF THE REAL SOREN!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781732541085
Publisher:	Frog Prince Books
Publication date:	11/04/2018
Edition description:	Second
Pages:	42
Sales rank:	667,501
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.25(d)
Age Range:	4 - 9 Years

About the Author

Principal, L Talbott Editorial, providing editorial and publishing consulting services to authors across multiple genres

Award-winning children's book author Deborah Stevenson has a passion for animals, and a strong desire to share that passion with children. In addition to sharing her love of animals, Stevenson's books convey positive messages about believing in your abilities-to achieve your goals, to make positive differences in the world, and to be kind to yourself and others. She believes that in a complex and difficult world, values of caring, consideration, hard work and determination to pursue with abandon the things that matter most to you, are more important than ever before in human history. A former technical writer, literature major, and a mother, children's books have proven to be a perfect outlet for Deborah's interests. She lives in New Jersey with a few too many dogs, but wouldn't trade any of them. When she is not marketing telecomm products at her day job, or writing, she enjoys training for and competing in the sport of dog agility.

Morgan Spicer believes kindness can make a world of difference in anyone's life, be it a young reader, a parent or a four-legged friend. Vegan and dog mom, Spicer will one day open the doors to a creative and cruelty-free oasis: a place where humans and animals, young and old, can come together every day, to celebrate the beauty of nature and embrace the importance of kindness and compassion. Morgan Spicer has illustrated over twenty children's books, including Deborah Stevenson's Soaring Soren: When French Bulldogs Fly and Oy, Elephants! She lives in the woods by the beach with her four rescue dogs and her husband.

Editorial Reviews

Winner of the 2017 Next Generation Indie Book Award for Best Children's / Juvenile Nonfiction.

Finalist for the 2017 Next Generation Indie Book Award for Children's Picture Book (6 Years & Up).

Silver Winner of the 2018 Feathered Quill Book Award for Animals—Children's and Young Adult.

Bronze Winner of the 2018 Feathered Quill Book Award for Children's Picture Books.

Silver Medal Winner of the 2017 Readers' Favorite International Book Award for Children / Animals.

Nominated for the 2016 Dog Writers Association Award for Best Series of Illustrations or Paintings.

Soaring Soren helps teach children that with a little hard work, if they can dream it, they can achieve it. A wonderful message and a delightful book. ~Feathered Quill Review

"A canine tale offers an exuberant reminder that winners come in all shapes and sizes (and should never listen to naysayers)."

"Based on a beloved dog's true story, this debut picture book celebrates hard work and determination."

"Playful and often humorous, Soren's voice should appeal to a wide array of primary school kids."

~Kirkus Reviews

Expressive cartoon color illustrations bring Soren the French Bulldog's amazing and inspiring story to life, bringing joy and inspiration to young readers everywhere. ~Midwest Book Review

"What a marvelous way to teach children to have confidence in their abilities!" "Beautifully told ..." "Morgan Spicer's illustrations are masterful ..." "I loved this book!" ~Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

From the Publisher

2017-05-05
Based on a beloved dog's true story, this debut picture book celebrates hard work and determination. Originally from Denmark, Soren the French bulldog is adopted by a kind American woman named Deb. Soren dreams about becoming a show dog; unfortunately, he grows too large to compete in his category. Then one day, Deb notices he jumps quite high, so she thinks he can enter agility contests instead. To begin training, Deb takes Soren to a special park with planks, tunnels, jumps, and weave poles. After months of practice, Soren and Deb attend agility trials, where a couple of rude folks scoff that a Frenchie can never prevail because of his large head and short legs. Undeterred by these judgmental individuals, Soren continues to prepare, even running through tricky weave poles, which is the most difficult maneuver for him. With much effort and an indomitable spirit, Soren eventually becomes the first French bulldog to ever win a Master Agility Championship. Told from Soren's point of view, the story features kindly Deb, with "wild, curly hair," as the main human character and effectively emphasizes Soren's devotion to her. Playful and often humorous, Soren's voice should appeal to a wide array of primary school kids (Stevenson's work is aimed at ages 5 to 8). In one amusing part, the bulldog's excitement wreaks havoc with his tummy: "Deb's eyes got wide and she blurted out, ‘Uh oh. Soren, noooo!' But before I could stop it…blarrgh! I threw up—right on Deb!" Spicer's (Sashi and the Puppy Mill Girl, 2016, etc.) bold color illustrations are eye-catching and complement the exultant message; for example, gleeful Soren flies in the volume's margins with winged pigs because critics said a Frenchie would claim victory "when pigs fly." (The small human cast, however, lacks diversity.) Reminiscent of a cute Disney character, Soren has huge adorable, expressive eyes, lending a classic feel. A compelling close-up of bug-eyed Soren as he makes the triumphant jump takes up two pages—requiring the book to be turned for optimal viewing—and adds vivid excitement to a jubilant climax. A canine tale offers an exuberant reminder that winners come in all shapes and sizes (and should never listen to naysayers).

Kirkus Reviews