– A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, 2023
– An Evanston Public Library Best Books for Kids, 2023
★ "This charming addition to the field . . . Short sentences follow a comfortable pattern, ideal for young readers. Moose and Bear are lovable characters that children will immediately connect with. Readers will root for Moose, who has one eye, and Bear, who has three legs, from the first page. Their funny dialogue is similar to Laura Vacarro Seeger’s “Dog and Bear” series and James Marshall’s “George and Martha” books. Pate’s soft illustrations capture the heart of the story and are a perfect match to Greenwald’s sweet text. VERDICT Budding readers will devour this series opener and be eager for more. A highly recommended new addition to the beginning chapter book section."–School Library Journal Starred Review
"A gentle and sweet start to a new chapter book series, Finding Home will appeal to beginning readers who love happy endings. The text features 4-6 short sentences per page, which are a blend of easy words and rich vocabulary like “extraordinary” and “tingled.” Adorable, soft-toned illustrations show emotions and playful action equally well. Readers will love the instant connection between the two dogs, especially the funny conversation they have about how neither of them resemble their animal name."–Youth Services Book Review
"Two shelter dogs win over both a human visitor and a new feline companion in this cozy adoption story. . . The two pups brim with unselfconscious vim, their doggy dialogue adds comic notes and the easy acceptance they and their adoptive human offer to the timorous new arrival will draw enthusiastic responses from younger audiences. Warm and snuggly."–Kirkus Reviews
“ Pet lovers be ready! In this new, snuggly easy reader series, two handicapped dogs leave shelter life for a new home and discover the true meaning of family. . . Moose and Bear instantly worm their way into readers' hearts . . This narrative will appeal to developing readers, who will find themselves compelled to keep turning the pages." – Booklist
"Bear and Moose, two dogs who don’t look like their names, are adopted from a shelter by a woman named Cathy. The dogs soon find a lost and lonely kitten named Tiger. This sweetly told and gently illustrated story with a very happy ending is the beginning of a new series just right for young animal lovers."–Reading Rockets, National Public Media
"The representation of older, special needs dogs in this is wonderful, and much needed in the world of dog books. The level of text complexity also fills a gap in children's literature in that it is slightly longer than a picture book but not quite a beginning novel. . . . Moose and Bear are just goofy enough to get children giggling, but also has serious themes of family and togetherness. I loved how Bear and Moose tried to get Tiger to sleep, and how generous they were with sharing their toys."–Ms. Yingling Reads
2023-09-09
Two shelter dogs win over both a human visitor and a new feline companion in this cozy adoption story.
Moose has one eye and two toys, Bear has three legs and a ball, and the two are fast friends. One day they draw the notice of Cathy—a brown-skinned adult human visitor who hugs them lovingly and takes them to a new and bigger space, where they can romp and make friends with Mailman Joe. When a fence appears that’s too tall to jump over but not quite low enough to dig under, they have an adventure, then are surprised to meet Tiger, a shy, frightened new friend in the yard. Cathy, too, is surprised but welcomes Tiger with a bath and a warm blanket. Despite lots of vigorous play and a lullaby sung by Moose, nervous Tiger still has trouble falling asleep come bedtime but closes his eyes at last once Moose and Bear have “snuggled in close to their new brother.” The sweetness may be laid on here with a trowel, but the two pups brim with unselfconscious vim, their doggy dialogue adds comic notes (“ ‘I have been thinking,’ said Moose. ‘You do not look like a bear.’ ‘That’s funny. I have also been thinking,’ said Bear. ‘You do not look like a moose’ ”), and the easy acceptance they and their adoptive human offer to the timorous new arrival will draw enthusiastic responses from younger audiences.
Warm and snuggly. (Early chapter book. 5-8)
