Title: Toby’s Big Adventure
Author: Bonnie Lou Schreiner
Publisher: Author Reputation Press LLC
ISBN: 978-1-64961-870-2
Pages: 40
Genre: Illustrated Children’s Book
Reviewed by: Barbara Miller
Pacific Book Review
There is really nothing cuter to dog-loving people than a new and young puppy, and as all puppies are adorable, a Shetland sheepdog ranks near the top. This is a story about Toby, an eight-week-old puppy who is picked by a family, and flown from Kansas to San Francisco to finally be in his forever home. Each of the significant details of the trip, or his “big adventure” as the title suggests, is written about in a very matter-of-fact narrative, showcasing readers the many steps a puppy needs to go through in order to get from his breeder to his new home. The steps include a visit to the vet to receive his puppy shots, then a bath to make him clean and smell good, then a trip to the airport in a carrier which was very frightening, next was the flight in an airplane, and finally being picked up by his new owner – and of course, adjusting to all of the new changes in his life.
Author Bonnie Lou Schreiner created a story to teach children of the many details of getting a puppy adopted in a distant city, and how, although it may have some emotional challenges to the young puppy, the result is worth the effort. Puppies are very adaptable and want to seek their new home. In Toby’s case, he met up with his new dog-playmate, Roxy, who also lives with Frank and Bonnie, Toby’s human masters. Toby goes for walks and rides in the car with Bonnie, and Roxy is very protective to Toby, a natural instinct to dogs living together as a family.
The illustrations in the book are a delightful way to imprint the imagery of Toby’s adventure, making this children’s book a truthful and unexaggerated tale of a puppy’s trip to his new home. Not every adventure needs to have life-threatening moments and harrowing events, sometimes the ordinary details of taking a plane ride to a new home offers enough of a thrill. This is how I believe Toby’s Big Adventure will be looked upon by its young reading audience.
Now that we have been introduced to Toby, perhaps author Bonnie Lou Schreiner will bring to life other true stories about this very adorable Shetland sheepdog and his loving family. Toby’s Big Adventure is a no-nonsense, reality inspired tale about Toby’s transition from his breeder in the mid-west to his forever home in San Francisco. All children will love it.
