Tuesday Tucks Me In: The Loyal Bond between a Soldier and His Service Dog

by Luis Carlos Montalván, Bret Witter, Dan Dion (Photographer)

Overview

As narrated by Tuesday, Tuesday Tucks Me In is a day in the life of this service dog extraordinaire and tail-wagging ambassador for all things positive and uplifting in the world. The book takes us through a typical day of adventures, starting with Tuesday waking military veteran Luis Carlos Montalván in the morning and greeting him with dog breath in the face, and then ending with Tuesday cuddling up to Luis on their bed, the last moment they spend together before sleep.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781596438910
Publisher:	Roaring Brook Press
Publication date:	05/27/2014
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Luis Carlos Montalván is the New York Times-bestselling author of Until Tuesday. A writer, advocate, and consultant, he received a master’s in journalism from Columbia University. Montalván was a seventeen-year veteran of the U.S. Army who served multiple combat tours in Iraq. For more information, please visit until-tuesday.com

Bret Witter has collaborated on many acclaimed books, including the New York Times bestseller Dewey. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky.

Dan Dion is a photographer residing in San Francisco, California.

Editorial Reviews

04/21/2014
Based on Montalván and Witter’s 2012 adult title Until Tuesday, the real-life story of an Iraq veteran (Montálvan) with PTSD and his service dog is presented for young readers in intimate photographs and easy-to-grasp descriptions. Tuesday, a golden retriever, tells readers about his life with his owner, Luis: “I even sleep with him, which helps control his nightmares.” Photographs show New York City residents Luis and Tuesday during their morning routine (Tuesday brings Luis his socks and shoes), visiting a restaurant, meeting other veterans, and traveling on the subway (“Luis doesn’t like crowds. So he hugs me while we ride”), eventually arriving at Coney Island. A moving story about companionship, loyalty, and the value of service dogs. Ages 4–8. (June)

Publishers Weekly

Children, even if initially just drawn in by the adorable dog pictures, will come away with a much greater understanding of the lives of both a returning vet and a service dog.” —The Horn Book

“The reciprocal loyalty and love between dog and owner is palpable and endearing, and photographs of Tuesday resting his head on his master's feet or taking a cab ride will delight dog lovers.” —Booklist

“A well-written, informative book.” —School Library Journal

“A touching story that will appeal to all dog lovers and to older children, including those with limited reading skills.” —Kirkus Reviews

“A moving story about companionship, loyalty, and the value of service dogs.” —Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

05/01/2014
K-Gr 4—Tuesday is a service dog for Montalván, who has post-traumatic stress disorder, among other disabilities, and knows exactly how and when to soothe him. Tuesday is always with his owner, supporting him as he goes down stairs or riding with him in cabs. The book is told from the dog's point of view and narrated in a calm, easy-to-understand tone ("I even sleep with him, which helps control his nightmares"). The book is humorous but also portrays the sometimes-depressing reality of Montalván's life. It documents their daily activities, including going to the veteran's hospital. There are special treats, too, such as an ice-cream cone at Coney Island. Readers see the close bond between the two and how they care for each other. Crisp, full-page, full-color photographs make evident this strong bond and show their busy life in New York City. The book concludes with an informational note from Montalván that explains more about his disabilities and how much freedom Tuesday has given him. He also talks briefly about the organization that trained Tuesday. A well-written, informative book for both school and public libraries.—Susan E. Murray, formerly at Glendale Public Library, AZ

School Library Journal

2014-03-17
An appealing golden retriever takes readers through his life as a service dog assisting a retired Army captain living with the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder and a traumatic brain injury. The story of Tuesday the service dog and his partner was first explored in Montalván's best-selling memoir, Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him (2011). This story for much younger readers offers a simplified look at the author's life, with his beloved dog effectively employed as first-person narrator. The use of the canine as storyteller provides some distance from the author's hardships while highlighting the undeniably charming golden retriever's winning personality and photogenic expressions. Superb photographs of the author and Tuesday bring their urban lifestyle into sharp focus as they navigate the subway, stairs, taxi rides and visits to parks, as well as their shared life in their apartment. Full-page photographs alternate between smaller views set against backgrounds of mostly blues and purples, establishing a contemporary tone in the book's thoughtful design. The simple text uses just a few sentences per page, with well-chosen details conveying the challenges Montalván faces in a matter-of-fact way. A concluding note from the author shares more of his history and information on service dogs assisting disabled veterans. A touching story that will appeal to all dog lovers and to older children, including those with limited reading skills. (Informational picture book. 4-10)

Kirkus Reviews