Book Series Details:
Category: Middle-Grade Fiction (Ages 8-12)
Genre: animals/pets
Publisher: Pups & Purrs Press
Release date: Oct 6, 2017, Aug 8, 2019, August 23, 2019,
Content Rating: G
Book Series Description:
Mission: Humane education through storytelling.
Each book in the Pups & Purrs series features Classic Coming of Age stories with multi-layered themes and messages for a wide variety of readers.
Ages 7-10 will enjoy the surface of the stories; ages 10-13 will begin to see the messages; ages 13 and up will begin to identify with the deeper themes.
Each book reflects issues children experience and the animal characters give voice to emotions that children often cannot.
To Help children who have difficulty verbalizing their life stresses but who can identify with animals. The animal characters experience the same issues: e.g.: social isolation; personal identity conflicts; bullying; rejection; lack of power; decision-making; growing up challenges.
To Provide humane education for children: teaching what animals need; to develop empathy; seeking to see the world through animal eyes; assisting in the early development of altruism.
A major goal is to turn potential animal abusers around–avoiding the inevitable escalation to violence against people. Children begin abusing animals when they are abused, or see abuse modeled in the adults around them. The P&P series seeks to give children more constructive options through humane awareness of animals as sentient beings.
To Teach through storytelling and entertainment: by encouraging reading by featuring colorful characters and engrossing stories.
To Develop early problem-solving abilities/analytical thinking: the animal characters show how to set goals and develop step-by-step accomplishments to attain those goals. They face the consequences of their decisions and grow in personal responsibility.
To Promote the humane treatment of all creatures and the environment by furnishing tools for parents, teachers, counselors, and humane educators at home, school, in therapeutic settings, and at animal rescue environments.
Amazon.com
Book Title: From Wild to Mild: A Dog in Two Worlds by Sunny Weber
Category: Middle-Grade Fiction (Ages 8-12), 196 pages
Genre: animals/pets
Publisher: Pups & Purrs Press
Release date: August 23, 2019
Content Rating: G
Children’s Pets/Animals Fiction
CIPA EVVY Pets/Animals/Nature, Third Place
CIPA EVVY Middle Grade Fiction, Third Place
*** Amazon Best Seller in ten categories, 2022 ***
“Sunny Weber takes readers on a remarkable journey between two worlds as we follow the puppy, Kaya, struggle to live and grow with a family of coyotes, and then experience returning to her role as a dog living with people. In addition to exciting adventures, challenges, and drama experienced by Kaya, we also learn about the differences between the animals, and their very different relationships to people. As a biologist that works with coyotes and dogs, I appreciate the creative way Sunny distinguishes the two animals in such an engaging story. Highly recommended for young readers interested in dogs, coyotes, and the world through their eyes.” Stanley D. Gehrt, Professor of Wildlife Ecology, Extension Wildlife Specialist, School of Environment and Natural Resources, Ohio State University
“What a beautiful, heartwarming book! Sunny incorporates the stories of abused and neglected farmed animals to bring attention to their plight. Sunny does a wonderful job of telling the story of Kaya, a caring and compassionate dog who is forced to confront her values and make difficult decisions to follow her heart or to fit in. Kaya teaches us to have empathy for all animals, regardless of their species.” Chrissy Dinardo, Development Director, Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary, Erie, CO
Book Description:
Eight-week-old Australian Shepherd Kaya is kidnapped by a nasty coyote to be food for his mate and puppies. Instead, the loving mother raises Kaya with her own pups. But as hard as she tries, Kaya can’t completely fit in—she can’t kill prey or stay awake for night hunts. Why can’t she make herself a true coyote? Constantly criticized by her coyote father, Kaya finds support in her new mother and siblings. She also figures out how to contribute through teamwork with her brother and sister. Trapped by a dog rescue, Kaya re-enters the human world and learns the differences between how dogs and coyotes live. When freed to roam again, does she return to her forest freedom—or remain with her farm family? Can Kaya forever straddle between the Wild and the Mild?
Book Title: Hurricane Dog: A Tale of Betrayal, Redemption & Change by Sunny Weber
Category: Middle-Grade Fiction (Ages 8-12), 221 pages
Genre: animals/pets
Publisher: Pups & Purrs Press
Release date: Aug 8, 2019
Content Rating: G
Moonbeam Children’s Book Award – Silver
*** Amazon Best Seller in nine categories, 2022 ***
Book Description:
Pit bull mix Gator and puppy mill survivor Magnolia are abandoned during a Louisiana hurricane. They suffer dehydration and starvation after rescuers take their people to safety but leave the pets behind.
Saved from their flooded house, Gator and Magnolia recover but remain homeless. Nobody wants a pit bull. Gator’s resentment festers into intense hatred for Gavin, the boy who left them to die. He vows to never trust again.
Transported to Colorado with other refugee pets, Gator and Magnolia face the uncertainty of a new life. Eventually they are fostered by a kind woman who seems mysteriously familiar. Both dogs relax in their new lives until upheaval again throws them into chaos.
Overwhelmed by trauma, Gator and Magnolia cling to one another through change after change. Will they be separated? Will Gator forgive the Great Betrayal and love again?
What will happen to pets and their people in the next natural disaster? Can Gavin change the rules of rescue? Will Gavin and Gator reunite?
Book Title: The Dog at the Gate: How a Throwaway Dog Becomes Special by Sunny Weber
Category: Middle-Grade Fiction (Ages 8-12), 246 pages
Genre: animals/pets
Publisher: Pups & Purrs Press
Release date: Oct 6, 2017
Content Rating: G
CIPA EVVY Animals & Pets Third Place
CIPA EVVY Children’s Story Books Third Place
*** Amazon Best Seller in eight categories, 2022 ***
“The Dog at the Gate is the next Black Beauty!” – Laurie Wagner Buyer, author of Rough Breaks: A Wyoming High Country Memoir
“The Dog at the Gate will help teach children to be be kind to animals and learn that they have feelings.” –Temple Grandin, PhD, Bright Not Broken: Gifted Kids, ADHD, and Autism
“Ms. Weber spins an engaging yarn about an admirable Australian Shepherd. Dog lovers young and old will find both Max and his story of adversity overcome delectable. Read it and reap the emotional reward.” –Gary Michael, Author of Journey From Little Left
“Weber’s writing is clear, poignant, and includes an engaging plot with compelling narrative.” — Blue Ink Review
“This touching narrative, with its colorful characters and humane messaging. . .conveys a resonant message of empathy for mistreated and abandoned animals.” — Kirkus Reviews
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Can a dog like Max go from years without a bath to unconditional love and acceptance?
Or will his new family abandon him again?
Puppy Max doesn’t have the easiest start in life. He faces hunger, living alone outside, a vicious dog next door, and menacing raccoons. Just when he thinks it can’t get any worse, he is abandoned at an animal shelter.
Max is rescued and fostered in a home complete with canine companions – Miles, a benevolent fellow Australian Shepherd, and cantankerous, bossy little Muffin. He also lives with three cats, two parakeets, and one incredible mistress.
Fans of classics like Black Beauty, Thomasina, and Beautiful Joe, which feature redemptive bonds between animals and people, will find The Dog at the Gate: How a Throwaway Dog Becomes Special offers a touching tale of love and triumph.
Sunny Weber has over 30 years in animal welfare advocacy. She has experience in rescue, fostering, medical care, service and therapy dog evaluation and training, shelter and sanctuary work and specializes in the rehabilitation of fearful animals. Sunny has rehabilitated then re-homed hundreds of dogs, cats and horses.
connect with the author:
GUEST POST
What are some example challenges that each protagonist in your books faces?
In Dog at the Gate, Max faces the challenges of Attention Deficient Hyper-Activity Disorder. He doesn’t know what’s “wrong” with him—only that he is rejected again and again. All he wants is love and a home of his own. He must figure out how to attain his goals alone until he finds a mentor who guides him. When he becomes ill he reverts to the insecure puppy he was and fears he will be abandoned again because he can’t do what he believes gives him value in others’ eyes. Is love and acceptance conditional? Will he lose all he’s gained because he can’t be a “success” that others value?
In Hurricane Dog, Gator is raised in love and safety. When he thinks his boy has abandoned him on purpose, he hardens his heart and vows to never be vulnerable again. After years of hardship he finally finds peace but refuses to love the woman who brings him to safety. Can he accept love without returning it? What happens when his world is turned upside down again? Can he forgive? Can he realize that his snap judgements might have been wrong? Being a pit bull mix he faces breed prejudice—the rejection of who and what he is. But when he is faced with his own blind prejudice, can he realize his own superficiality and accept the truth?
In Dog in Two Worlds, Kaya is raised as a wild coyote, although she is a dog. As she matures she becomes aware there are species differences she can’t bridge. Try as she might, Kaya must realize that she can’t MAKE herself a real coyote—but then what is her future? She knows she must leave her family and search for her true self, but fear of the unknown holds her back. When separation is forced and she is absorbed into a dog’s life, she finds skills she never knew she had. When the opportunity comes for her to return to her old life, she must choose—two families love her. Which one should she abandon and which one should she stay with? Can she forever straddle between the wild and the mild?
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Giveaway
Signed copy of FROM WILD TO MILD (Pups & Purrs series) (1 winners) (USA) (ends Dec 3)
https://gleam.io/5Ibs5/pups-and-purrs-book-tour-giveaway
