Maggie, the Dog with a Heart — Catherine FitzGerald

Becoming Maggie is an endearing story about a puppy who gains her identity after being adopted by her forever family. This picture book tells the story of a Jack Russell Terrier puppy born on a farm in Mid-Michigan. She has an ideal life: spending her days frolicking with her siblings, chasing the farmyard animals, and learning how to become a proper dog. She is well taken care of and loved.

There's just one problem -- she doesn't have a name yet. She is simply known by the color of her collar. Pink -- that's not much of a name! Her mother tells her that names are only given by forever families. Everything changes one fall afternoon when the Fitzgeralds come for a visit. Pink tries to remember everything her mother taught her as she meets the family and convinces them that she is a very special dog. After being chosen for adoption, Pink is taken for her first car ride. As the motion of the car threatens to lull her to sleep, she hears the Fitzgeralds discussing a name for her, finally discovering her identity as she becomes Maggie.