Porter and Midge: Paws for Safety: A Kid's Guide to Safe Dog Interactions

by Giselle Nevada, Jennie Chen

Discover Porter and Paws for Safety - an exciting and educational book teaching kids how to be safe around dogs. Join lovable Mastiff Porter, friendly Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Midge, and their owners CJ and Lora as they guide kids through safe and respectful dog interactions using engaging rhymes and charming illustrations.
This book emphasizes approaching dogs calmly, seeking permission before petting, and communicating in ways that make dogs feel secure and loved. A definite must-read for any child who loves dogs and wants to become a responsible and caring pet owner.

Genres: Childrens

38 pages, Hardcover

Published October 24, 2023

Reviews

[Linda Galella]

Five stars for content and four stars to the formatting, PORTER AND MIDGE: PAWS FOR SAFETY, is a good addition to family libraries or new dog owners.

I read a Kindle copy and found it unwieldy on an iPhone ProMax. Unless I manually enlarged each half page, it was practically unreadable. The book won’t display in landscape position, which would have helped. On my iPad, landscape was no problem so each two page spread displayed easily.

Many different dog breeds are represented, altho’ they aren’t identified. We had fun trying to guess what they were and if we knew a pup that looked like each one. Kids will have no problem finding a version of themselves on the pages as well; kudos.

Authors, Nevada and Chen, did a fine job incorporating a rhyming scheme while delivering important safety information to youngsters and newbie dog owners. I don’t agree that head and chest pats are not welcomed by dogs but that’s a personal preference. The point of that section was to be gentle, which I 100% agree with!

Great illustrations, information and more books in this series; enjoy📚

[Emily]

CJ and Lora are the owners of Porter and Midge. Porter and Midge are loveable dogs and CJ and Lora want to share the proper way of handling dogs for everyone to share their joy. This is a great book for kids about the do's and don'ts of approaching, playing, walking dogs and more. As a dog owner with a young grandchild this is informative and gives well descripted lessons in order to take care of the dog but also the safety of the child.

[Lorralei Hoerner]

5 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

What a wonderful and educational book! This is perfect to read for young and old. Learning boundaries with safe dog interactions and overall taking care of a dog and the responsibilities that is has. From play time and taking walks to teaching a child or even an adult to ask if you may greet your dog is really important and this book really engages you to learn.

Colorful illustrations and rhyme makes this story of Porter and Midge wonderful and enjoyable while learning from a young age to young at heart.

[Christine]

Netgalley Arc
This is the cutest book! If you are about to get a dog or already have one, you should read this book with your child. It shows helpful hints on how to interact with the new dog in your life!

[Ash]

adorable!

This was a cute and informative children’s book that I think anyone who owns a dog with kiddos should read. I will be recommending this to some friends in rescue as well to share with new adopters bringing a canine friend home.

[Jennifer]

Porter and Midge: Paws for Safety A Kid’s Guide to Safe Dog Interactions by Jennie Chen is an excellent educational book for kids.

The book is about a young boy who loves dogs. The book teaches children how to interact with dogs safely by demonstrating the right way to approach dogs and understand their body language.

The book covers every aspect of safe dog interactions, such as when dogs are happy or nervous and how to behave around them in various situations. Children learn how to read dogs' behavior and body language, helping them understand whether a dog is feeling playful, defensive, or afraid.

The language used in the book is simple and easy to understand, making it an ideal read for children. The illustrations are beautifully done and captivate the reader's attention. The illustrations are also helpful in emphasizing the messages delivered in the story.

The book’s interactive format and fun activities make it a great teaching tool for parents, teachers, and dog trainers. The book is a must-read for children who love dogs and parents who want to teach their children to interact safely with them.

In conclusion, Porter and Midge: Paws for Safety A Kid’s Guide to Safe Dog Interactions is an ideal educational book for children, parents, and teachers. The book's clear message and fun activities make it an excellent read for children, teaching them how to interact with dogs safely.

[Carrie Cross]

In "Porter and Midge: Paws for Safety: A Kid’s Guide to Safe Dog Interactions," delivers another heartwarming installment in the Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series, focusing on the crucial theme of fostering safe interactions between children and dogs.
The language is age-appropriate, making the book suitable for young readers, and the colorful illustrations enhance the overall appeal, capturing the attention of children while effectively conveying the key messages. The interactive elements, such as safety checklists and engaging activities, make the learning experience enjoyable and memorable.
"Porter and Midge: Paws for Safety" not only promotes responsible behavior around dogs but also encourages empathy and understanding. It serves as an invaluable resource for parents, teachers, and caregivers looking to instill a sense of responsibility and compassion in children when it comes to interacting with animals.
In conclusion, "Porter and Midge: Paws for Safety" is a well-crafted and thoughtfully executed children's book that successfully combines entertainment with essential life lessons. This installment in the series is a must-read for families seeking an engaging way to educate their children about safe and positive interactions with our canine companions.

[Jaimie]

I loved this book so much! Yes, I bought it for my kiddos (8 & 11), but I also really enjoyed it. I love books that are entertaining, but also a learning experience as well. This book teaches you a TON of safety guides when it comes to dogs. The book follows CJ and Lora's safety tips with their dogs, Porter who is a Mastiff and Midge who is a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. They explain different ways to care for your pet dog and how to interact with other people's dogs. Throughout the book you get to see many types of dogs and how to be safe with them all. The illustrations are super cute and the information in the book on dog safety is really great. I even learned a few things! Such a great book for kids. Learning how to act around dogs is something everyone should, not just kids! I can't wait to read the next books: The Puppy Adventures of Porter and Midge: Out and About & The Puppy Adventures of Porter and Midge: Paws at Attention. If you are thinking of getting a dog for yourself or your child(ren) these books are GREAT for learning!! They ALL teach you different things- from safety, socialization, training, and focus.

[Ayla Phipps]

This was a fun rhyming book with cute illustrations. My sons found the rhymes fun but were confused by some of the “rules” listed in the book and I too was concerned. While most of the book was filled with amazing advice, three things stuck out to me the most. 1-2. It says no head pats, to rub the dog’s chest and stomach. Every dog I have ever encountered loves head rubs and pats, and often gets defensive over chest and belly rubs, especially if someone else’s dog. 3. It states that when wanting to pet a stranger’s dog to ask, yes always. But then it illustrates the little girl just calmly walking up to the dog. When someone is approaching a stranger’s dog after being granted permission to pet them, they need to yes, no sudden movements and approach calmly but also, they need to hold out their hand palm side down and slowly approach to allow the dog a chance to smell them to greet them. Once again, I did enjoy the book but just felt that some very important things were either overlooked or misleading.

[Candice]

This book is great for young children who are just learning how to approach and be around dogs other than their own family pets. This book is written in rhyme, which makes it super fun for kids and adults alike. Porter and Midge are two dogs who meet up at the dog park with their humans. This duo are always happy to help other humans at the dog park to safely play with dog, rather it be their own pets or Porter and Midge. This book goes over things like not pulling on or hitting dogs, giving dogs their space, and even more topics like taking dogs for walks and approaching strange new dogs safely. This book could definitely be a good resource for young children who have either never had a pet, or have only ever been around their own family pets before they are around strange new dogs. I would recommend it for younger elementary school age kids, though really any child from toddlers up to late elementary would enjoy and learn from it.

[Jan]

This delightful book teaches the right way to approach and play with dogs whether one's own, someone else's, or even a stray. Lots of words and illustrations to make things clear and backed up by red Xs when appropriate to signify things not to do.
The only thing missing in this wonderful book is how we should behave with service dogs and K-9s when each is "on Duty".
The illustrations are clear, delightful, and colorful with easily recognizable types of dogs.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or your public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Raise the Woof Press via NetGalley. Thank you!

[Dawn Daughenbaugh]

5 Stars
Porter and Midge (Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series) by Jennie Chen and Giselle Nevada


Porter and Midge is a super cute children’s book that teaches children how to be dafe around dogs and how to safely handle them. My son loves dogs and loves to pet every dog he sees. He learned to always ask permission first and always approach slowly He’s also learned there are several different types of dogs that have different jobs like being service animal for vets. He loved this book and all the illustrations. This is a great book for children of any age. I love that its educational and my son is already saying he wants more porter and midge. I highly recommend reading this cute children’s book. We can’t wait to read more from this Author.

[Tausha Treadway]

Porter and Midge (Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series) by Jennie Chen and Giselle Nevada. This is such a great book for anyone with young children. Its great if you don't have dogs but if you are in the market for getting a dog its a must read. It teaches kids how to approach a dog, how to read its body signals and much more. Porter and Midge are two dogs who live with their owners CJ and Lora. CJ & Lora want everyone to feel safe around dogs so they go around teaching people about dogs and dog safety. They teach kids that they are a huge responsibility so ownership is not to be taken lightly. This book is a must for families because whether or not you own a dog you are going to come across dogs some point in your life and these valuable lessons can save a lot of harm.

[Anantha Rusum]

I picked this book because of a personal experience , when my son went to pet a German Shepherd and got bitten .

This book resonates with my experience and first things first , I made my son also read this book. Animals are adorable and it is never their fault when they growl , especially the pets .

There is a way to approach the dogs, first ask the permission of the owner , understand their temperament and then pet the dogs according to how the owner instructs you to do .

In this book , Laura and CJ have two adorable pets , Porter and Midge . This book teaches the kids how to safely engage with the dogs in a very interactive way . I wish there are more such books for kids to engage with the pets .

[Tara Johnson]

Porter and Midge: Paws for Safety is a children’s book designed for children between the ages of three to twelve years of age. The book follows the adventures of Midge and Porter and their owners, CJ and Lora. Through their interactions children are taught important lessons about how to interact safely with dogs. The text is easy to understand, and the illustrations are bright and beautiful bringing the story and messages to life. Valuable lessons are taught regarding how to safely play with dogs, about being a responsible pet owner, and how to treat dogs with love and respect. This book is a must read for anyone who is considering getting a puppy or even has a dog already. Great for all ages!

[Shannen]

This book is absolutely amazing! I love that it teaches kids how to properly interact with dogs and keeping everyone as safe as possible. I have one kiddo that is quite shy about approaching animals, and the other is polar opposite, loudly announcing their presence and wanting to play. Both of them were able to sit and read this with me. It really started a conversation about what to do when a dog looks a certain way and how to be respectful of our furry friends. The illustrations are beautifully done with informative graphics. The rhyming in the book really captures the attention of young ones which I find very helpful. I highly recommend having this on hand for any little one in your life because they will come across a pup at some point!

[Sue]

Porter and Midge: Paws for Safety is like a warm hug for both kids and dog lovers. If you've ever wondered how to introduce your child to the world of dogs safely, look no further. This book, with its captivating rhymes and adorable illustrations, makes learning about canine safety a joyous adventure.

From the very first page, you'll be hooked as Porter the Mastiff and Midge the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, along with their caring owners CJ and Lora, guide you through the world of responsible and respectful dog interactions. It's not just a book; it's a valuable lesson in approaching dogs calmly, seeking permission, and communicating love and security to our furry companions.

[Jenni]

I like that Porter and Midge: Paws for Safety A Kid’s Guide to Safe Dog is and educational book teaching kids how to be safe around dogs. It is a fun, quick read for not only kids but adults too.
The story is told in a captivating rhyming rhythm which I found helps kids remember things easier.
This lovely children’s book is full of bright and colourful illustrations. It is not just a story, but it is a learning tool that teaches young ones on how to act and react when around four pawed furry friends. It highlights boundaries for both humans and animals that should be adhered to.
It is a great gift for birthdays or Christmas and should be a household, school and library staple.

[Megan]

This is a fantastic children's book explaining the importance of dog safety and it does it in such a way that children will be able to easily understand it. We follow Lora and CJ and their doggie companions, Porter and Midge throughout the story as we learn about dog safety through various scenarios. The story is well done and the illustrations that accompany it follow along with the story fantastically. I love the sing-songy rhymes of the story because children are able to follow along so much better. This is definitely a story you will want to read your littles if they are going to be around any type of animal, but especially dogs.

[Anna Hirsch]

Porter and Midge (Porter and Midge Children’s Series)
By Jennie Chen and Giselle Nevada
4 Stars

This is a fantastic and educational book that I think all children should read. It teaches kids how to respectfully approach dogs, play with and take care of them. It is a fun way to learn with a beautifully illustrated and easy to read book. CJ and Lora with their friendly dog Midge will show children the right and wrong way to handle dogs. It will inspire kids to become respectful and caring dog owners. It will also show children that if you treat dogs properly, there is no reason to be afraid of them. Every child should read this book.

[Hannah]

This is my first time picking up a story by these authors Giselle Nevada and Jennie Chen. Reading I thought it was a really good book to have in your book collection. I think its for all ages but especially for Little ones. This book was really informative about how to play and respect the boundaries of yours and other dogs. I really liked the artwork, it was very colorful. It caught and kept the attention of my little one🥰. Definitely going to be buying my nieces and nephews copies so they can also learn from this information. We are a family of dog lovers here ❤️ looking forward to reading more from these amazing authors.

[Elizabeth]

This is our first Porter and Midge book. I really like the idea of the series, being inspired by the authors dogs and teaching kids dog safety. A lot of dog breeds were represented, and the illustrations were wonderful. We learned some new things and reinforced other lessons. Paws for Safety had a lot of good conversation starters for me and my 7 year old. We liked that the book was rhyming, but some felt a bit forced. I think his favorite was the picture of the dog poop, because, boys.... I like that it addressed a lot of common topics, and explained why children should approach with care, ask for permission, etc. I look forward to checking out the others in the series.

[Kami Mauldin]

Thanks to NetGalley for the early copy to review!

This book helps kids know how to treat dogs: their own and strangers’. My daughter loved all the puppies! We have a dog so many of the examples were familiar to us. It was helpful to reiterate the conversations we’ve had about asking permission to pet dogs that we see in the park or in public spaces.

There’s a section about the signs for when a dog needs space. I thought that was a helpful page. If you have a dog or have kids who tend to run up to other’s dogs, then this is a good book for you!

[LibraryWithAPug]

Not my typical read but I do have nieces/nephew and I am a firm believer that anyone that has dogs has the responsibility to educate about how to advocate for their boundaries. I have seen many pictures of kids laying on dogs, sitting, being too rough-and when a bite happens people will say it came out of nowhere. Bites are always pre-warned, we often miss the body language. This is an important book for children to be education on understanding animal boundaries and space. It advocates for the pet to be able to be comfortable and respected, and for a child to remain safe.

[Abigail L.]

This amazing book not only introduces children to the world of dogs but also teaches essential lessons in canine safety. The story of Porter and Midge is wonderfully illustrated and filled with engaging rhymes that make learning about safe dog interactions a breeze.

As a parent, I appreciate how this book emphasizes the importance of approaching dogs calmly, seeking permission before petting, and understanding how to communicate with our furry friends. These are vital lessons that every child should learn, and Porter and Midge: Paws for Safety presents them in a fun and memorable way.

[Rachelle]

🐶🐾PAWS•for•SAFETY🐾🐶
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I was excited to get to read, review, and share Porter and Midge: Paws for Safety. I think too often people don’t follow these safety guidelines and pets and people can get hurt.
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Some of my favorite suggestions from the book:
🐾how to treat your dog with gentle kindness
🐾how to approach other people’s dogs
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This rhyming book is great for pet lovers, for children learning about caring for dogs, and classrooms and libraries!
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Thank you @porterandmidge for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Kat Mellon]

My girls and I loved this Porter and Midge book! My toddlers are 4 and 3 and absolutely LOVE animals, but are still learning how to respect their spaces and how to approach strange dogs. We've been working with them, and this book was a great visual reminder for them. Some of it was a little above their ages, but overall was still important information for them to learn in a fun way.

Would definitely recommend if you have pets or if your littles have a love for animals and just not quite sure how to show it in a gentle way!

[Kerry Baker]

We seem to have been really luck recently with the children’s books we have read recently and this is another one to add to that list. This book was fun, engaging and entertaining, capturing the attention of both of my children. It was also really educational and a great way to teach them about interaction with dogs.
The pictures are what really pulled them into this book. They almost became the gateway for us being able to talk about the topic of the book and to keep them interested until the end. This was a really enjoyable story and I am sure we are going to read this many more times.

[Julie]

CJ and Lora want everyone to know how to properly care for a dog. They use Porter and Midge to talk through rhyme about ways to approach dogs, how to walk with them, cues to watch for, and more. The illustrations are very colorful and lifelike.

This would be a great book for a youngster about to get their first dog. It would be a great refresher for someone who's cared for a dog for awhile too. This would be a great introduction to being a responsible pet owner or even for someone visiting with a pet for the first time.

[Angela]

4 Stars

Porter and Midge: Paws for Safety: A Kid’s Guide to Safe Dog Interactions by Jennie Chen & Giselle Nevada is not only a cute story, but is a great educational book that teaches children how to have safe interactions with dogs. It also has charming, bright, colourful, and interesting illustrations which help to bring the whole thing to life.
This is a fun, quick, and easy read that has also has a great rhyming rhythm, a bit of a lyrical feel, that will help children/readers to connect with the words/story/message.
Happy Reading…

Thank you, Jennie Chen & Giselle Nevada!