SOLVED. Children's chapter book about a girl with a Stuffed yellow(?) dog. [s]

[Grace]

SPOILERS AHEAD. But don't worry, you're not missing anything.

If you thought the header was too vague, think again. THAT is the plot. I read this book between 2004-2007. It seemed new-ish. Hardback, orange cover with a photograph of a stuffed yellow lab on it. I really want to say it was called The Yellow Dog. Here is what I remember:

The book follows a young girl (I want to say her name was Sharon??), who lives with her mom. Her dad is a truck driver, and had to go to Florida or something, but he also may have just left his family, I'm not sure. I remember Florida. She has a stuffed yellow dog. When I picked the book up at the store, I wanted it because the jacket summary made it sound like maybe the dog talks, or comes to life. Said something like "with the help of her dog..." Spoiler: the "dog" is completely pointless to the plot. So the girl misses her dad, and she had some trouble with bullies at school. The mom - and this is the part that really threw me as a kid - shows up at the playground AT SCHOOL with another mom (of the girl's friend), and TELLS OFF the "mean" kids. Like just shows up and verbally accosts these 6-year-olds. It was weird. (If I'm remembering it correctly.) Basically, it was 60-70 pages of complete rambling nonsense. I think at some point, the girl might run away to find the dad, but it honestly may end the way it began - with nothing happening.

Anyway, I thought of this book recently and it's driving me INSANE trying to figure out what it was called/who it was by/if there are any reviews from people who were equally disappointed by the plot, or lack thereof. I'm beginning to think I'm the only person who has ever read it. Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

[Rainbowheart]

The Friskative Dog

[Grace]

Rainbowheart wrote: "The Friskative Dog"

WOW thank you!! That was fast. Can't wait to reread as a grown-up.

[Rainbowheart]

No prob, glad to help out!