Mogie The heart of the house
Published by: Atheneum Books for Young Readers Imprint of Simon & Schuster 2014
Ages: 4 – 8 years
Theme: Caring, Bonding, sickness, healing
Opening Lines: Right smack in the heart of the Big City is a very special house.
Synopsis: (from Amazon) Give that dog a puddle and he’d splash. Give him a whistle and he’d roll over. Give him a rule and he’d break it. One day a passel of puppies was born. Each puppy was designated for a Very Important Job, like Service Dog, or Search and Rescue Dog, or Groomed for the Show Ring Dog. Each puppy, that is, except Mogie. Mogie was a ball-chasing, tail-wagging, moon-howling pup. Not the kind of pup for any of those jobs! But there is a place that is just right for Mogie: a very special house where sick children and their families can stay while they undergo long-term treatment. A place with children who NEED a ball-chasing, tail-wagging, moon-howling pup. And there’s one little boy in particular who needs Mogie. And Mogie is about to prove he’s the best darn pooch in the passel. Based on a true story, this heart-warming picture book is published in conjunction with the Ronald McDonald House.
Why I like this: Based on a true story it has that heart felt warm aww feeling about it. Mogie with his cheeky ways and cute little face is a special little dog with an inner special bond with sick kids. Like anyone who loves dogs you will fall in love with Mogie. The author felt extremely lucky to have met Mogie and she fell in love with him. He is a very special part of the Ronald McDonald mission and brings a ray of light, and healing to each child. I love the light coloured pencil, charcoal drawings positioned in different places on the pages throughout. Interesting that the story started with the boy (Cage’s) point of view and then shifts to Mogie’s. This story was a Washington’s Children’s Choice Award.