Book reviews are a great way for self-publishing authors to gain exposure. After all, how can someone buy your book if he or she doesn’t know it exists? Paired with other elements of your book promotion strategy, requesting reviews is a great way to get people talking about what you’ve written.
When we read good reviews, we definitely like to share them. It gives the author a few (permanent) moments of fame and allows us to let the community know about a great book. Here’s this week’s book review, courtesy of Midwest Book Review:
Old Dog, New Tricks:
The Story of an Old Shelter Dog Who Got a Second Chance
by Marie-Yolaine Williams (author)
Richa Kinra (illustrator)
Publisher: Outskirts Press
ISBN: 9781478765332
Synopsis*:
Who Says Old Dogs Can’t Learn New Tricks? Boscoe is an 11-year-old dog who suddenly finds himself at a shelter competing with puppies for potential adopters. When a family finally comes in looking for an older dog, Boscoe can’t believe his ears! Will he find his forever home?
Critique:
Who says old dogs can’t learn new tricks? Deftly written by Marie-Yolaine Williams and charmingly illustrated by Richa Kinra, “Old Dog, New Tricks: The Story of an Old Shelter Dog Who Got a Second Chance” is the story of Boscoe, an 11-year-old dog who suddenly finds himself at a shelter competing with puppies for potential adopters. When a family finally comes in looking for an older dog, Boscoe can’t believe his ears! Will he find his forever home? Highly recommended, especially for children ages 6 to 9, “Old Dog, New Tricks” will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to family, elementary school, and community library picture book collections. For personal reading lists it should be noted that “Old Dog, New Tricks” is also available in a paperback edition (9781478761631, $14.95).
[ reviewed on the Children’s Bookshelf of Midwest Book Review ]
Here’s what some other reviewers are saying:
I love reading this book to my children. It is refreshing to see such diversity in this book. It was heartwarming to read a story about a rescue dog getting another chance. I can not wait to read the more from this author.
Top Ten Reasons I Love This Book and Have Read It Over and Over Again!
I could have done more reasons, but I’m a Dave Letterman fan and I know everyone is pressed for time. Here goes!
10) The writer doesn’t talk down to the audience. If you read a lot of children’s books like we do, you know what I’m talking about;
9) The story is compelling and well written;
8) The book promotes the values we should be instilling in our children. I’m talking about compassion, love, loyalty, a love of learning and reading, and treating animals with respect.
7) There is real diversity in the book, not just background diversity. How refreshing to see a mixed race family in a children’s book;
6) The book teaches how to calculate dog years and that we never stop learning, no matter how advanced in age we are;
5) The illustrations are striking and the whole time I read it I thought to myself this book would also make a great movie;
4) The How You Can Help section at the end of the book supports parents who are not ready for a dog (if now is not the right time for a pet in the house there are so many ways you can help shelter animals) Brilliant!
3) The About the Author’s Senior Dogs Section is adorable. The writer even lists her old dog’s favorite CDs (we love Seth MacFarlane too);
2) The writer discusses loss and the plight of shelter animals in a way that is easy to understand, but still gives everyone hope that we can give these so called undesired pets a second chance at love;
1) Some of the profits will go to shelter animals, and that in itself is reason enough to give it five stars.
The truth is, I would take all the stars in the universe and give them to this book. This book has transformed me into a dog lover!
– Amazon Reviewer Amazon Customer
This book is an instant classic. This book is good on so many levels and reading to my son he absolutely hangs on the reality of the situation at the same time the metaphors on life are not lost on the reader, while the story’s poingency is felt by both. We read stories every night to both of our children and this one has displaced some old standbys (ironic?).The levels that the writer reaches is rare. In the first respect, you have the story. In the second, you have the writer’s story with her dogs. Finally, you have the respect on how to rescue a dog or contribute.
We are a couple of years away from our first canine addition to our family, but with the help of this well written and beautifully illustrated book I know that my sons already have an appreciation for their future friends.
Speaking of future friends, I can’t wait for the next book in this series to come out. These books will make a wonderful addition to our library and will make a great gift for a lot of our friends.
I give this book my highest recommendation. Great for family reading time.
– Amazon Reviewer Clayton III
Thanks for reading! Keep up with the latest in the world of indie and self-published books by watching this space every Saturday!
Self Publishing Advisor
Self Publishing Advisor 