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Owen Learns He Has What It Takes: A Lesson in Resilience – Help Children Ages 3-5 Regulate Emotions and Develop Social Skills
Owen is a yellow lab who's scared of new places and people and who stands too close and licks too long. But when he visits a children's hospital, a very special boy helps him find his resilience--even as Owen helps the boys and girls at the hospital do the same.
From veteran counselors and bestselling authors Sissy Goff and David Thomas, The Daystar Dogs series follows Owen and his furry friends at the little yellow house in Nashville. As the puppies, and the kids they help, navigate hard situations, children will discover how to regulate emotions, develop necessary social skills, and discover the difference each puppy--and child--can make. Heartwarming and helpful, these books speak to the heart of what your child needs emotionally, socially, and spiritually today.
From veteran counselors and bestselling authors Sissy Goff and David Thomas, The Daystar Dogs series follows Owen and his furry friends at the little yellow house in Nashville. As the puppies, and the kids they help, navigate hard situations, children will discover how to regulate emotions, develop necessary social skills, and discover the difference each puppy--and child--can make. Heartwarming and helpful, these books speak to the heart of what your child needs emotionally, socially, and spiritually today.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published May 13, 2025
14 people want to read
About the author
David Thomas
11 books87 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Please see: David Thomas
David Thomas, L.M.S.W., is the Director of Family Counseling at Daystar Counseling in Nashville, TN. He is the co-author of six books, including the best-selling Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys (Tyndale House Publishers), a frequent guest on national television and radio, and a speaks across the country.
He and his wife, Connie, have a daughter, two sons and a fiesty yellow lab puppy named Owen.
Please see: David Thomas
David Thomas, L.M.S.W., is the Director of Family Counseling at Daystar Counseling in Nashville, TN. He is the co-author of six books, including the best-selling Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys (Tyndale House Publishers), a frequent guest on national television and radio, and a speaks across the country.
He and his wife, Connie, have a daughter, two sons and a fiesty yellow lab puppy named Owen.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 20, 2025
Owen, an adorable puppy, is a nervous little guy. He loves to stand too close, lick too long, and sleep tummy to tail, especially when he's facing a new challenge.
Owen is a therapy dog in training who must learn to deal with his own feelings whether it be sadness, anger, being scared, worried, lost, and/or simply loneliness. As Owen learns to deal with his emotions his story teaches little ones to do the same.
Included at the end of the book is a chart which is useful to help children explore and talk about their own feelings.
Parents and workers with young children will find this book to filled with irresistible illustrations paired with engaging text making this book a great tool for teaching emotional terminology, as well as how to face fears and try new things.
This title is part of The Daystar Dogs series following Owen, Lucy, and their furry friends at the little yellow house in Nashville. This is a lovely picture book to help children discover how to deal with their emotions, develop necessary social skills, and discover the difference each child can make all through the sweet eyes of a puppy.
Owen is a therapy dog in training who must learn to deal with his own feelings whether it be sadness, anger, being scared, worried, lost, and/or simply loneliness. As Owen learns to deal with his emotions his story teaches little ones to do the same.
Included at the end of the book is a chart which is useful to help children explore and talk about their own feelings.
Parents and workers with young children will find this book to filled with irresistible illustrations paired with engaging text making this book a great tool for teaching emotional terminology, as well as how to face fears and try new things.
This title is part of The Daystar Dogs series following Owen, Lucy, and their furry friends at the little yellow house in Nashville. This is a lovely picture book to help children discover how to deal with their emotions, develop necessary social skills, and discover the difference each child can make all through the sweet eyes of a puppy.
February 5, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Baker Publishing Group for an advanced read copy of this helpful book by David Thomas of Daystar.
I was excited to receive a copy of this book as I’ve followed the Raising Boys and Girls Podcast which have all been helpful in my parenting journey. Sissy Goff and David Thomas are insightful and share biblically grounded advice for navigating all seasons of parenthood.
My 7 year old daughter and I enjoyed reading, Owen Learns He Has What it Takes together. The book is about a dog named Owen who often felt overwhelmed. Owen learned to work through his strong emotions and feelings by helping others in need whether visiting sick children at the hospital or his elderly relative that really needed a companion. The book addresses the topic of resilience in an age appropriate manner by teaching children that they can do hard things and be strong even when they feel scared.
I would highly recommend this book for a child’s personal library or as a resource for children’s counselors, therapists, and social workers!
I was excited to receive a copy of this book as I’ve followed the Raising Boys and Girls Podcast which have all been helpful in my parenting journey. Sissy Goff and David Thomas are insightful and share biblically grounded advice for navigating all seasons of parenthood.
My 7 year old daughter and I enjoyed reading, Owen Learns He Has What it Takes together. The book is about a dog named Owen who often felt overwhelmed. Owen learned to work through his strong emotions and feelings by helping others in need whether visiting sick children at the hospital or his elderly relative that really needed a companion. The book addresses the topic of resilience in an age appropriate manner by teaching children that they can do hard things and be strong even when they feel scared.
I would highly recommend this book for a child’s personal library or as a resource for children’s counselors, therapists, and social workers!
May 16, 2025
Meet Owen . . . an adorable puppy who loves to stand too close, lick too long, and sleep tummy to tail, especially when he’s facing new challenges.
As this therapy dog in training learns to cope with his own feelings of sad, mad, scared, worried, lost, and lonely, his story teaches little ones to do the same. A chart at the end encourages kids to explore and talk about their own feelings. Irresistible illustrations and engaging text make this book a great tool for teaching emotional vocabulary, as well as how to face fears and try new things.
*Thank you to NetGalley and Baker Publishing Group for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
As this therapy dog in training learns to cope with his own feelings of sad, mad, scared, worried, lost, and lonely, his story teaches little ones to do the same. A chart at the end encourages kids to explore and talk about their own feelings. Irresistible illustrations and engaging text make this book a great tool for teaching emotional vocabulary, as well as how to face fears and try new things.
*Thank you to NetGalley and Baker Publishing Group for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews