Little Helpers: Animals on the Job!

by Michéle Brummer Everett

Take a peek into the lives of service animals to see the wonderful (and sometimes unexpected!) ways they help people in this diverse and inclusive debut picture book.

In this book of little helpers, join service animals as they go about their important work. From snakes who give a squeeze when it's time to take medication to Seeing Eye dogs who help their owners cross the street, from llamas who visit children's hospitals to pigs who provide comfort for the elderly, this gentle introduction celebrates special connections between people and animals. A portion of the proceeds includes a donation to charity. 

Genres: Animals, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Childrens, Health

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 8, 2018

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

First-time author/illustrator Michéle Brummer Everett makes her picture-book debut here, profiling various service animals and the important roles they have in helping people. From snakes that are trained to sense the onset of seizures to llamas that visit classrooms, from dogs who work as guides for the blind to cats who give company and comfort to those in hospitals, the animals discussed here range from the more obscure to the more common. Whatever species they are however, they are all little helpers...

Informative and engaging, Little Helpers: Animals On the Job! was quite an interesting read. I appreciated the fact that Everett covered some service animals with which many readers might be unfamiliar. I found myself googling some of them - especially the snake! - skeptical of the claim, only to run across some fascinating real-life stories. I wasn't completely sold on the illustrations here - they felt a little flat to me - but overall I did enjoy this one. Recommended to young animal lovers, and to anyone looking for picture-books about service animals of all kinds.

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why I chose this book:

I think it is important to accept and normalize different needs. Service animals are a part of that. When I saw this as an upcoming publication from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, I requested a review copy and received one.

V's Review

Various service animals are introduced.

From snakes that give a squeeze when it's time to take medicine, to ferrets who help children gain confidence when speaking in public, to familiar guide dogs, service animals are introduced to young readers. Each two-page spread depicts an animal helping a human (shown in yellow and shades of grey, as you see on the cover) and includes a few sentences about what the animal is doing. Back matter elaborates on how each animal assists. The vocabulary was age appropriate, and the content prompted discussion about different needs. I think this is a positive introduction to not only service animals themselves, but to the idea that we all need help and some people receive special help from animals. It was an easy message for T to understand; he needs help with lots of things, and he knows people for whom several of the service animals would be appropriate. This was, simply put, great.

I liked this book for its message and delivery, and also for its cover. Under the dust jacket, the cover illustration is a paw reaching out toward a hand. An animal's face is drawn on the paw and a human's face is drawn on the hand. It is cute. It is friendly. And I do judge a book's cover.

T's Review
(age 3)

While reading:
V: "Have you ever needed a helping hand?"

T: I need help getting dressed.

V: Would ever want to talk to a horse if you had a problem?

T: Yeah. I would want to ride that horse.

V: What would you think if you saw a tortoise on an airplane? Why?

T: I would feel that was wacky, 'cuz tortoises aren't supposed to be on airplanes.

V: And this tortoise helps the boy to feel better on the airplane. After reading this, what would you think?

T: I would feel better.

V: Can you think of anything else that the helper parrot could say?

T: You are lovelier and lovelier.

T: What are seizures? How does that doggie smell his low blood sugar? What is a nursing home?
(We had a whole conversation about these questions.)

After reading:
V: Are there some ways that you're a helper?

T: I help by cleaning up.

V: Did you have a favorite animal?

T: The pig looks cute...he's my favorite...he has a little smile.

V: Would you ever want help from an animal?

T: The pig. The monkey.

V: What did you learn?

T: I learned that there are helper animals.

V: Were any of the animals a surprise to you?

T: The monkey can scratch someone's face if they have an itch. The snake gives a gentle squeeze. That means you can take some medicine.

V: When would it be a good time to read this book?

T: When there are helper animals around.

About to go to sleep after this was his bedtime story:
T, lifting head to turn and look at me: That's a nice little book.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although most youngsters will be familiar with the idea of service animals, they aren't likely to know much about them or the services they render to humans. Nor are they likely to be aware of the different types of service animals there are. This picture book provides an introduction to some surprising ones and what they do to help others. Readers will find a cat, a horse, a llama, a tortoise, a snake--yes, a snake, a pig, a monkey, a parrot, a ferret, a rabbit, and a dog, all ready to provide comfort or assistance to humans in a wide variety of ways. The back matter includes thumbnail sketches that describe exactly how each of these animals provides assistance to humans. The illustrations, created with Adobe, feature a lot of yellow images, which make certain parts of the images stand out. I'm not particularly fond of that chosen color palette, but I do like the variety of animals featured here. Who would have thought that a snake could sense blood pressure in humans or that dogs could detect the fruity scent that comes from too much blood sugar. This is fascinating stuff and a nice introduction to the topic.

[Brenda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a great book to share with children about service animals and little known helping animals. The big problem is the design. The all yellow and grays illustrations are cool, but the small font on nearly empty pages is not easy to read - especially for emergent readers or those with any visual issues. Also, it would be nearly impossible to read aloud to a group. I'm really disappointed in these visual issues because the topic is so important.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute picture book about all the ways differn't animals can help people. each two page spread features a picture and a short few lines about that animls special ability to help a human in some way. preschoola nd up without afterward. Elementary and up with afterward.

[Elaine Bearden]

k-2
super cute informational picture book that highlights all different kinds of helper animals and what they do. Minimal text and clear pictures would make it perfect for group sharing and great discussion starter.

[Ampersand Inc. · Rating 4 out of 5]

very sweet book on how animals help humans; the kids represented are very diverse.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Animals of all kinds helping humans in a variety of different circumstances.

[Mary Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting array of service animals with simple text that describes what they do to help humans.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid book about a variety of therapy animals but the text is a little relative the information summary in the back was better

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story that explains why some people need helper animals in their lives. It also encourages children to help when and where they can.

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Perfect way for kids to learn about how different animals can help with various health issues ! Great for animal lovers!

[Lara Bate · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book to teach children about how animals can help people. Interesting read. Non-fiction.