Book Review: Animals and the Kids Who Love Them

As I read about the bond between children and pets in "Animals and the Kids Who Love Them" I felt my heart ooze with joy as tears streamed down my face. In a world, that at times, can be full of heartache and uncertainty, I often wonder about the future of our children. 

Reading this book, I found hope in the creatures that God created who are helping to shape the lives of our young generation- animals who provide comfort, unconditional love, and a safe place for kids to just be themselves. It gave me hope that as long as we continue to respect and honor that bond, and allow it to work its magic, that there is always hope for our children's futures.

I am in awe and gratitude for the countless number of people who give of their time and dedication to bring children together with animals, giving them experiences they may have never gotten. Enriching their lives through loving a furry pal who they can share all their secrets with, and who will never judge them.

I've personally witnessed the profound magic that can happen between a child and an animal as the mom to Frankie the Walk `N Roll Dog, my special needs pet, and her close bond with a special needs little boy named Jackson(featured in the book). As I read the other stories in this book, I felt a soulful connection with each of the people who have had the distinct honor of seeing that same amazing bond- there is nothing quite like it.

Bravo to Linda and Allen Anderson for putting together a collection of stories that will grab hold of your heart and never let go... and how enriched your life will become after you share in the delight and wonder of the bond between child and animal.

~Barbara Techel, Award-winning author of Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog book series

She Speaks Bark Review- Check it Out & You Could Win Copy of My Book

Thank you to She Speaks Bark blog for a wonderful review about my Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog book series.  Stop on by and check it out- leave a comment and you will be entered to win a copy of my award-winning first book, Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog.
Good luck!!

Review of Frankie's Newest Book Makes it to the Big Times!

Know how to make a little dog on wheels smile?  Check out this review written by two little girls about my new book, Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby's House which made it into the big times and you will understand how this made me smile.  ARF-A-ROO, Madeline and Sophie!!  Check out their review here!

Kid Tested & Kid Approved

Nothing better than kids reviewing my books!  Wait till you hear what Madeline, age 8.5 and Sophia, age 7 had to say about my newest book, Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby's House!  It is way cool.  As part of their curriculum being taught at home (which I think rocks!) they review books for Reader Views Kids.  Isn't that great?  So check out their reviews below.  Arf-a-roo, Madeline & Sophia!

Frankie the Walk 'n Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby’s House

Barbara Gail Techel
Joyful Paws (2010)
ISBN 9780980005240
Reviewed by Sophia (age 7) and Madeline (age 8.5) McElroy for Reader Views (02/10)

Madeline: This is a true story about Frankie the walk 'n roll dog becoming a therapy dog. Frankie visits nursing homes to make the older people feel better. Every time Frankie visits, the older people love it! Frankie’s mom is very proud that Frankie is a therapy dog. Frankie goes to a special nursing home called Libby’s House. Frankie meets a 70-year-old man named Daniel. Frankie loves to play with Daniel; they have a lot of fun.

My favorite picture is when Frankie takes a bath in the sink. My favorite part of the story is when Frankie becomes a therapy dog. I think kids should read this book because it encourages children to keep on moving and to do their best. Frankie is so special because she can make many people feel better. First I thought about how sad it is that Frankie can’t walk but she is so happy and makes people happy too.

I have read the first book, “Frankie the Walk 'n Roll Dog,” and this one is great also!

Sophia: This is a book about a dog named Frankie and she is becoming a therapy dog. She helps sick and old people. She is a cute dog. My favorite and funny picture is when Frankie is wearing a bumper sticker on her wheels. A sad part was when Frankie’s friend Daniel died on Friday. Isn’t that sad? I would be sad if my grandma died. I liked this book because I like all the pretty and nice pictures. If I saw Frankie I would go pet her! My favorite part was when they visited Libby’s House. She is my favorite dog in the whole wide world. I like this book because she is a therapy dog and makes people feel good. I liked “Frankie the Walk ‘n Roll Dog” as much as this book. I wish I could see Frankie in real life. Frankie is so cute I can’ believe my eyes!

We both recommend “Frankie the Walk 'n Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby’s House” by Barbara Gail Techel. This book is great, including the cover!

Review from Yvonne Perry, author of The Sid Series

My new book, Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby's House is making it's way out into the world and the reviews are coming in! If I could wag my tail, it would be wagging 100 miles a minute from this dog gone wonderful review from Yvonne Perry, children's author of The Sid Series. Big slurp on the cheek to you, Yvonne!

Yvonne gave it 5 stars! I love stars!

Appreciate the elderly and the disabled

When I think of all the animals that are destroyed because they have a disability, it saddens me-especially when I see the good that comes from using a disability to help others. That's the case with Frankie, the Walk `N Roll Therapy Dog. In Barbara Techel's new book, she tells how she and Frankie became a therapy team and the joy that visiting Libby's House brings to them and the residents. Libby's House is a senior facility where residents have Alzheimer's, dementia, or some physical challenge from aging.

Beautiful illustrations by Victoria Kay Lieffring enhance the telling of this story. Any child or adult will enjoy seeing Frankie perched in various places like the kitchen sink, her doggie car seat (where she serves as co-pilot), the teacher's desk, Daniel's lap, the dining room table (ready to help blow out the candles on 100-year-old Martha's birthday cake), and on the sofa or beside the wheelchair of an elderly resident. Each month, the folks at Libby's House eagerly await the arrival of Barbara and Frankie ready to pet the pooch who is paralyzed in her hind quarters.

I love the way Frankie tells her own story in a play-by-play narrative. You may forget that Frankie is not a human. She sure knows how to relate to people, and she's a really polite listener even when Edith tells about Schutzie, yet again! The lighthearted humor in this book will help children and adults understand that the elderly have a lot to offer younger generations--even when they are reminiscing and don't know what day it is!

This book provides an endearing glance to help us better appreciate the preciousness in all of life's stages. Highly recommended for family reading and classroom education.

For other reviews and to purchase the book visit Amazon. Can also be purchased from Joyful Paws website where special book bundle pricing is available.

Dachshund Delights Review of My New Book

I love Jerry over at Dachshund Delights! Each month he shares news about dachshunds everywhere via his newsletter. This month he featured your truly. And wow, what a great review he wrote. He is really good at that stuff!

So be sure to visit Dachshund Delights and read his review about my new book, Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby's House.

If you think you just might want a copy remember I am donating a portion of my proceeds to disabled animal charities. This quarter I will donate to Tinkerbell's Fairy Dust Fund which helps animals get wheelchairs who may not have been able to get one.

And I can speak (speak!) from personal experience that my wheels are the BEST! I can be a dog and run and play and have so much fun... so I want all animals to have that too.

And just a reminder that my mom and I will be signing our newest book this Saturday. So if you live in Wisconsin, come see us! We will be at BookHeads in downtown Plymouth. 216 S. Mill Street. 11:00a-1:00p. I'll have my new holiday vest on compliments of April Scott of Hug-A-Dog. It is SO COOL! If you decide to order one for yourself be sure to use the promo code: FRANKIE when you are checking out and April will give you 10% off!

G.R.I.T.S Kidz Book Club

Hey kids! Do you like to read? Well, you should if you don't. Reading takes you places without ever leaving your favorite chair or ever leaving the comfort of your bedroom! Oh, the things you will learn and how interesting life can be when you read, read, read!

Ok, enough of my little sermon about reading... hee hee. But seriously, if you LOVE to read I want to tell you about a really cool on line book club called G.R.I.T.S Kidz Book Club.

You can meet other kids safely on line that like to read. What is really cool is this site is maintained by kid power (like this site is maintained by dog power)! You can even submit a review of your favorite books too! Hint: Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog might be a book you'd like to send in a review about, so other kids can learn about me!

Share your love of books and reading and meet kids from around the world! Check it out today! And if you decide to write a review about your favorite dog (hint: that would be me!)... be sure and let me know and I'll share it on my blog too! Arf-a-roo!!

The Dachshund Book Review Website

Hey everyone, check this out! My pal, Roo, who happens to be a full fledged doxie himself has reviewed my book, Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog. His mom, Deb started the site to give all those crazy lovin' doxie people out there one central location to go to and find books all about dachshunds. Roo reviewed my book and I think he did a dog-gone good job, so check it out yourself on his site, The Dachshund Book Review. Thanks, Roo! Arf-a-roo!