The Life Adventures of Robbie Dog Volume 1 — Rhonda Nelson

For a little puppy, Robbie Dog, life has some pretty big challenges. He watches the other puppies in his litter get picked to go to a new home and he doesn't understand why he is left behind! His poor health makes him so sick that he needs a life-saving operation and he's scared! Awakened out of a deep sleep, he lets his temper get the best of him and almost causes big trouble! When his beloved Grandpa Human dies, he tries hard to hold on to the feelings of love and comfort. Through four short stories, Robbie Dog learns and grows as he encounters the uncertainty of moving to a new home, the fearfulness of going to the hospital, the worry that he won't be loved when he makes a big mistake, and the grief that follows losing someone he loves. Robbie works his way through the same emotions that children face when their lives present challenges and changes. Told in a sensitive, gentle manner, the stories of Robbie Dog allow children to examine the emotions that seem to go along with hard life events. Discussion questions and activities that help to extend those conversations follow each story, assisting parents, caregivers, and teachers in creating a safe and supportive climate in which to help children come to terms with their own difficult experiences - and the feelings that accompany them.