Mogie

April 21, 2014
This cheering story is based on a real-life Labradoodle that resides at the Ronald McDonald House in Houston. Though this “ball-chasing, tail-wagging, moon-howling pup” is too frisky to make the grade as a service, search-and-rescue, or show dog, Mogie finds his raison d’être after wandering into a “very special house in the heart of the Big City.” There he befriends Gage, “once a ball-chasing, race-running, back-flipping boy,” who is now in a wheelchair. Rosenthal’s (Bobo the Sailor Man) loosely drafted illustrations showcase Mogie’s devotion to Gage, while Appelt’s homey, emphatic tone (“Give that dog a puddle and he’d splash”) will ring familiar to readers of The Underneath and The True Blue Scouts of Sugarman Swamp. When Gage, much recovered, leaves for home, Mogie adopts another needy patient. Kids will find the narrator’s question, “Who wouldn’t love a dog like that?” very easy to answer. A warm tribute to a remarkable dog and to the workers at Ronald McDonald Houses, which will receive a share of proceeds from book sales. Ages 4–8. Agent: Holly McGhee, Pippin Properties.

May 1, 2014
Mogie finds his purpose in this true story about the Houston Ronald McDonald House.Gage is a "ball-chasing, race-running, back-flipping little boy."..until he gets too sick to do any of those things, and his family flies to a very special house in a Big City. He's lost his mojo. And there, Mogie, a "ball-chasing, tail-wagging, moon-howling pup" who has failed at training for everything else, wanders in and knows just what to do. He intuits when Gage needs him to sit next to him quietly and when his antics will help him remember and look forward to brighter, healthier days. And slowly, Gage gets better and goes home. Mogie misses Gage, but now he's watching out for Antonia, "a toe-dancing, jump-roping, cartwheel-spinning girl" who's lost her cha-cha-cha. "Give this dog a bone and he'll chew it. Give him a stick and he'll fetch it. Give him a kiddo who is bluer than blue, and Mogie will be truer than true." Rosenthal's pencil, charcoal and digital illustrations wonderfully complement this emotional tale without tipping it into the saccharine. Colors help set the mood of each spread, and the scribbly style against a white background lends the illustrations a slightly retro feel. Wheelchairs and bald heads on a few children are the only indications of illness, aside from subdued posture.Mogie's one good dog, and readers will be awfully glad they've met him. (author's note) (Picture book. 4-8)

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May 1, 2014

PreS-Gr 3-Based on a true story, this tale introduces readers to Mogie, a dog who becomes an inspiration to children in a Ronald McDonald House. Gage and his family move to the house after the boy becomes sick. There are rules to help the children get better, including "no puppies!" In a nearby town, a litter of puppies is born. Two of them become service dogs, three train for Search-and-Rescue, and four are groomed for the show ring. Mogie, however, fails at each of these endeavors because he breaks all the rules. This is why he does so well at the Ronald McDonald House. He walks right in and meets Gage. Slowly, Mogie helps him feel better. The boy eventually gets to go home, but there are more children there for Mogie to help. This heartwarming story will satisfy animal lovers and anyone who enjoys a happy ending. The illustrations, rendered in pencil and charcoal, and digitally, complement the story. Mogie is adorable; it's no wonder that he has a positive affect on Gage and the other children. The book makes good use of negative space, and page layouts vary to keep visual interest. This title would work well as a read-aloud and as an excellent choice for independent reading.-Emily E. Lazio, The Smithtown Special Library District, NY

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2014
Grades K-2 Mogie, a labradoodle with a trademarked name who lives at the Ronald McDonald House in Houston, has his story fictionally told by a Newbery Honor Book author and a cartoon-style illustrator. Into a very special house wanders this ball-chasing, tail-wagging, moon-howling pup who, while seemingly not cut out for other canine careers, bonds instantly with Gage, a representative blond-haired boy at the house who has lost his mojo. The two become fast friends, and once Gage finally recovers from his unstated illness and moves out, Mogie turns his affection to Antonia, who has lost her cha-cha-cha. The appended author's note tells of Appelt's own bonding with Mogie and his role at the Ronald McDonald House, the mission of which is only vaguely alluded to except for on the flap copy. The lightly colored pencil, charcoal, and digital drawings are appropriately upbeat, and admirers of working animal stories and simplified issue books, as well as dog lovers in general, will appreciate Mogie's gently told and optimistic tale.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)