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About The Book

Mogie is a real-life Labradoodle with a special talent: he always knows just what a sick kid needs! Get to know this passionate pup with this story by a Newbery Honoree.

Give that dog a puddle and he’d splash. Give him a whistle and he’d roll over. Give him a rule and he’d break it.

One day a passel of puppies was born. Each puppy was designated for a Very Important Job, like Service Dog, or Search and Rescue Dog, or Groomed for the Show Ring Dog.

Each puppy, that is, except Mogie. Mogie was a ball-chasing, tail-wagging, moon-howling pup. Not the kind of pup for any of those jobs!

But there is a place that is just right for Mogie: a very special house where sick children and their families can stay while they undergo long-term treatment. A place with children who NEED a ball-chasing, tail-wagging, moon-howling pup.

And there’s one little boy in particular who needs Mogie. And Mogie is about to prove he’s the best darn pooch in the passel. Based on a true story, this heartwarming picture book is published in conjunction with the Ronald McDonald House.

About The Author

Photograph courtesy of the author

Kathi Appelt is the author of the Newbery Honoree, National Book Award finalist, and bestselling The Underneath as well as the National Book Award finalist The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp, Maybe a Fox (with Alison McGhee), Keeper, and many picture books including Counting Crows and Max Attacks. She has two grown children and lives in College Station, Texas, with her husband. Visit her at KathiAppelt.com.

About The Illustrator

Photo courtesy of the illustrator

Marc Rosenthal is the New York Times bestselling illustrator of many books for children, including the Small Walt collection by Elizabeth Verdick, All You Need Is Love by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, I Must Have Bobo! by Eileen Rosenthal, We Love Fishing! and Mabel Wants a Friend by Ariel Bernstein, and Archie and the Pirates, which he wrote. He lives in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Learn more at Marc-Rosenthal.com.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (July 1, 2014)
  • Length: 40 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781442480544
  • Ages: 4 - 8

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Awards and Honors

  • Kansas NEA Reading Circle List PrimaryTitle
  • Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee (IN)
  • Show Me Readers Award Final Nominee (MO)
  • WA Children's Choice Picture Book Award Master List
  • MSTA Reading Circle List
  • Writer's League of Texas Finalist
  • Eureka! Excellence in Nonfiction Gold Award (CA)

Resources and Downloads

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More books from this author: Kathi Appelt

More books from this illustrator: Marc Rosenthal