As I have written time and time again, I love sharing new books with my kiddos. I place a high value on reading. I have been an avid reader since childhood, and now my daughter is also a terrific reader. My son also loves books. Both my kids are huge fans of dogs. My family has two pet dogs, Espen and Kenobi. My kids thus especially love books about dogs. When recently offered the chance to review Piper Was Afraid written and illustrated by Rebekah Phillips from Pawz Publishing in exchange for my honest opinion, I eagerly accepted the opportunity to add to my home library. The 32-page hardback book currently costs $19.99. I also received a plush Piper and a plush Cornelius the mouse.
Author/Illustrator
Rebekah Phillips is a graduate of The Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts who has won many academic achievement awards for her paintings. Her work appears in numerous private collections and has been shown at various Connecticut galleries including The Cooley Gallery in Old Lyme, Connecticut. Also a published songwriter, she has recently turned her attention from writing songs to writing and illustrating books for children. She has illustrated numerous stories for other authors. Piper Was Afraid is her book in an upcoming series of seven in which each book uses animals to impart an important character lesson to the reader.
Synopsis
Piper is an enormous Irish wolfhound who is afraid of almost everything. One day while the rest of his family is away, a thunderstorm knocks the power out in his house. Out of fear, Piper hides under the stairs and becomes stuck. With a little love and patience from his family, he realizes that his fear has been holding him back from all the fun!
Evaluation
When my daughter read Piper Was Afraid for the first time, she immediately remarked that Piper was just like our dog Espen. Espen is also afraid of almost everything including thunderstorms and squeaking. I love that my daughter can easily relate to the story through her own pet. When she finished reading the book, she also turned to Espen, who was sitting on the couch next to her, and said, “See, Espen, you don’t need to be afraid.”
Recommended for readers between the ages of 3 and 5, Piper Was Afraid offers a perfect story for my kindergartener daughter to read on her own. When she first sat down with the read, she could read the entire text by herself without any help. The vocabulary and style is easy enough for the target audience but still engaging. I also love the message of bravery that the story imparts. My toddler son also enjoys hearing me or his big sister read the book aloud. Young readers will also have fun getting louder and louder as the words get larger and larger as the story progresses.
In addition to the story, both my kiddos really love the illustrations in Piper Was Afraid. First, Piper is absolutely adorable. My daughter and son also love pointing out all the dogs on each page. I consider the illustrations absolutely gorgeous. I could pour over the little details for hours. Additionally, you must keep your eye on Cornelius the Mischievous Mouse as he makes his appearance on each page. The plush Piper and Cornelius are perfect companions to the book. My daughter especially loves cuddling up with Piper and Espen together as she reads the story.
Final Verdict
If your little reader loves books about dogs, I highly recommend checking out Piper Was Afraid written and illustrated by Rebekah Phillips from Pawz Publishing. Written for readers between the ages of 3 and 5, the book follows an Irish wolfhound named Piper as he conquers his fear of everything. The book imparts the important character lesson of bravery through a sweet but scared canine main character and his family of humans and fellow dogs. My daughter can already read the story easily on her own, and my son enjoys hearing me read the book aloud. The beautiful illustrations are also a huge hit in my home. I am quite impressed with Piper Was Afraid and definitely recommend the book to all other little pet lovers.
Follow Pawz Publishing on Facebook and Instagram. Follow Piper Was Afraid on Twitter. Purchase Piper Was Afraid on Amazon via my affiliate link.
Image Credits
‘Piper Was Afraid’ Book Review © 2016 Heather Johnson
‘Piper Was Afraid’ Book and Plushes © 2016 Heather Johnson
Cover of ‘Piper Was Afraid’ © 2016 Heather Johnson
Inside Page of ‘Piper Was Afraid’ 1 © 2016 Heather Johnson
Inside Page of ‘Piper Was Afraid’ 2 © 2016 Heather Johnson
Piper and Cornelius of ‘Piper Was Afraid’ © 2016 Heather Johnson
