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Freckles: The Mystery of the Little White Dog in the Desert (ASPCA Henry Bergh Children's Book Awards
The story of a dog abandoned in the Arizona desert with six puppies. It tells how she kept them all alive until they were rescued by a sheriff's deputy, and how they lived in a jail cell with inmates who cared for them. A woman brings the little white dog home and soon the dog is a certified pet therapy dog working with children from backgrounds surprisingly similar to her own. A gentle, inspiring story that promotes not only a deeper appreciation for all animals, but also for each other. Includes an illustrated glossary, discussion topics, and information about pets.
- GenresChildrens
72 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 27, 2025
This is an incredibly short story about the author's dog Freckles. She was abandoned when pregnant in the Sonoran Desert.
The story only takes up about half the book. The rest of it includes an illustrated glossary, a list of questions to ask kids about the book, information for adults about dog ownership and about pet therapy. And, of course, THREE pages of praise, praise and more praise for the book.
The text is just not that great. It's way too short to make for any satisfying reading for anyone over 5 years old.
The illustrations are far better than the text. Although Freckles and her puppies are drawn extremely well, for some reason the illustrator couldn't seem to draw the Howeys' other three dogs.
Most local areas in the United States have dropped or are dropping animal control officers. My own county got rid of the last animal control officer over ten years ago. I was stunned to see that Maricopa County STILL has an animal control department.
Pets are being abandoned at a record rate. There is absolutely no reason to buy a pet when so many are going to be euthanized through no default of their own in shelters and rescues. Not all shelter dogs will be therapy dogs or win awards like Freckles, but they'll still be wonderful and priceless in their own way.
The story only takes up about half the book. The rest of it includes an illustrated glossary, a list of questions to ask kids about the book, information for adults about dog ownership and about pet therapy. And, of course, THREE pages of praise, praise and more praise for the book.
The text is just not that great. It's way too short to make for any satisfying reading for anyone over 5 years old.
The illustrations are far better than the text. Although Freckles and her puppies are drawn extremely well, for some reason the illustrator couldn't seem to draw the Howeys' other three dogs.
Most local areas in the United States have dropped or are dropping animal control officers. My own county got rid of the last animal control officer over ten years ago. I was stunned to see that Maricopa County STILL has an animal control department.
Pets are being abandoned at a record rate. There is absolutely no reason to buy a pet when so many are going to be euthanized through no default of their own in shelters and rescues. Not all shelter dogs will be therapy dogs or win awards like Freckles, but they'll still be wonderful and priceless in their own way.
April 16, 2023
4 1/2 stars given by child.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews