You Just Might Learn Something

I have some amazing friends. I'm not saying they're more amazing than your friends. I'm just saying... they might be.

Anyway, these friends of mine do some cool stuff. And when I think you might like to know about these cool things -- or I just want you to BUY something from my friends -- I'm going to share them with you.

So my friend Beth Finke. She wrote this wonderful book called "Hanni and Beth: Safe and Sound." It's a nonfiction children's book about Beth's relationship with Hanni, her guide dog, and I recommend that you parent-types pick it up as a bedtime read. The illustrations are beautiful -- all soft and done in oils. My sense is that kids will love it because it's about a dog (KIDS LOVE DOGS), but it covers the life of a dog and her human in a way that most kids have never heard. I think all of you librarian types (and I know I have a few of you as readers) should put it on your shelves. The School Library Journal agrees.

I learned a lot about guide dogs from Beth's book. For example, you're not supposed to address a guide dog when the dog is working. Did you know that? I didn't, but I do now. Which is why I'll never again give Beth a big ol' kiss on the cheek and then stoop down and shout, "HI HANNI!" while I hysterically clap my hands and stomp my feet. And Beth will never again have to scold me.

Hopefully, anyway. I have a hard time ignoring dogs, and I'm not nearly as well trained as Hanni is.

Comments

[All Adither]

I did know that about guide dogs. But only because I effed it up once, petted an on-duty dog and got yelled at.

[Jennie]

Cool! I was just thinking today I needed to figure out what to get for my 7-year old nephew's birthday this month. I think this is it! He will love it. Thanks for the recommendation!

[cadiz12]

children's books are highly underrated. I'll have to put this one on my to-give list!

[darlene]

oh how wonderful is that :) thank you for sharing this ... you totally have amazing friends :) xo

[Beth Finke]

Wow. I'm speechless.
Which, for anyone who knows me well, is rare.
What a wonderful surprise to read such a glowing review on Smells Like Happy! Hanni and I are flying from Chicago to Long Island tomorrow to promote "Hanni and Beth: Safe & Sound" at schools and adn bookstores (I'm bragging to everyone I know that we'll end the week with an appearance at a Border's...in BOHEMIA!). I'm supposed to be packing so of course instead of doing that I am sitting in front of my talking computer checking up on blogs. I must tell any of you reading this that Smells Like Happy was kind enough to eliminate that CAPTCHA thing so that I could comment here using a talking computer. CAPTCHA is that thing that says "write down what you see in this box" to avoid spams. When I told Smells Like Happy that I couldnt' see a dang thing in the box and therefore couldn't comment, she risked taking off the CAPTCHA filter to allow those of us using assistive technology to participate, too.
So you see, I have good friends, too. Thanks for the plug, I'm having a ball with this book, you cannot imagine the great questions I get from kids when I visit schools... .

[Kerri Anne]

I totally DID learn something. Your master plan: it WORKED!

(So awesome.)

[Sphincter]

Sounds like a great book! I will forward the info to our children's librarian.

[Nikki]

I have a friend who can roll one eye back while keeping the other straight ahead (think Marty Feldman) and another who can make it through a whole Vikram Yoga class without passing out or vomiting. Is it weird that we're still single?

No really, congrats to your friend on the book...I'll have to pick it up for my nephew.

[seven]

That book was really cute.
Also, I tagged you if you want to do it.