| Book Reviews and Presentation Comments |
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REVIEW for "A Different Kind of Family" and "Good Dog, Not So Good Dog" written and illustrated by Deb Merlin.
These two books are the priceless and touching story of Spencer, a dog who lived with his mother until the day he got carried away chasing butterflies and became lost during his adventure.
In "A Different Kind of Family," we meet Spencer when he first gets lost and is feeling all alone in the world. In spite of wondering around for days and seeing all kinds of families, human and otherwise, Spencer can’t find one of his own. He is so intent on his mission that he ends up in the middle of a busy street not knowing what to do. What follows is the tale of being rescued and finding the perfect family at a pet store adoption.
"Good Dog, Not So Good Dog" jumps to Spencer in his new home trying so hard to be a good boy. His doggy antics will be familiar to anyone who has brought a new puppy into their home and spent some time establishing a few rules about exactly who can chew on shoes and take out the trash. Then Spencer has a surprise visitor who helps him sort things out about the way he has been behaving and teaches him a few of life’s little lessons, the first being “there is no such thing as a bad dog.”
Along with an excellent story line (based on a real life Spencer who was a stray), the illustrations are precious and sure to bring a smile.
These books would be excellent stories for families with children who are getting ready to go to an animal shelter or pet adoption event in search of a new family member. They would also be cozy bed time stories, especially if your dog is snuggled up next to you.
Beth Szillagyi
Author of "Notes From Rainbow Bridge"
http://www.notesfromrainbowbridge.homestead.com
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The following "Dear Ms. Merlin" letters were received from Askew Elementary School students in Ms. Janet White's Third Grade Class....many thanks to the students for their wonderful comments and fantastic drawings...and thank you, Ms. White, for sharing these letters with me!
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 | I love the book "A Different Kind of Family." The story was cool especially the part when you told us it was a true story. Thank you for coming to our school and thanks for sharing it with us.
Sincerely,
Mariana
Thank you for coming and reading the book. I really enjoyed it and your handwriting is very good. I loved the story. It was astonishing.
Sincerely,
Nicholas F. |
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Thank you for coming to Askew. I think everyone in Askew liked your story. Your pets were so adorable. You illustration was good, and your book.
Sincerely,
Brian
Thank you for showing us your book. It was wonderful. I loved it so much. I wish I could see it again.
Sincerely,
JP |  |
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 | Thank you for coming to Askew Elementary. I like dogs and cats. You are nice!
Your friend,
Elena
Thank you for coming to our school. It was nice. I loved your story "A Different Kind of Family." It was very funny. I like the part when Spencer is little and is so cute at the time. It was really fun to watch. I wish I could buy it.
Sincerely,
Derek |
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Thank you for your presence at Askew. And for the performance from the book you read. I also like your dogs and cats.
Sincerely,
Nick M.
I really like your performance and your dogs. I didn't even know you have real dogos but thank you for coming to Askew Elementary.
Linda |  |
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Thank you for telling us about your new book. I really enjoyed listening to you reading your book. I love drawing just like you and I'm pretty good at it. I have 2 dogs and a talking parrot. The types of dogs that I have are 1 Chihuahua and 1 Yorkie. I love to read. I read Polish books because I am from Poland.
Sincerely,
Eliza
Thank you for reading your story to us. That was very nice of you. I like your dog Bailey the most.
Ashleigh |
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Thank you so.....much!!! I loved your book. Your dogs are adorable! Your illustrations are very good.
Sincerely,
Kara
Thank you for the great performance. I loved your story. It was great. I love the part when Spencer was hiding in the bush. Thank you for reading it to us.
Sincerely,
Zach |  |
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 | Thank you for sharing Spencer's story with me. I really enjoyed it. I hope to hear another one of your stories. I think you are a good person to except Spencer. He's a great dog. I hope Spencer doesn't wander off. Still I'm a bum for dogs and cats. I wish you all nothing but the best. Your story was wonderful.
Sincerely,
Khaniya
Thank you for reading your story! I enjoyed it. Thank you again for bringing pictures.
Sincerely,
Bree
Thank you for comeing to Askew Elementary. I love the dogs. Can you come back? I hope so. Your pets are so cute especially the cats. I loved the book it was grate.
Jonathan
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I like your book a hole lot. Thank you for coming to share your book with us. I like your dogs a hole lot.
Sincerely,
Duncan
Thank you for coming to Askew and reading your book. I was not there but it sounded like fun. I wish I knew the whole story.
Sincerely,
Justin |  |
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 | Thank you for coming to my school. I really loved your book. It was awesome. I like your dog Spencer and your cats Stripe and Katy. They were cute and I like it when you read your book. You read it with expression and excitement. I loved your pictures and the way you drew them too. They were pretty. I hope you come back and see us soon. I liked the way Spencer looked. Look at the back.
Sincerely,
Markayla
Thank you for bringing Spencer. It was fun looking at the pictures. And thank you. We love the pictures and the book.
Sincerely,
Myles
Thank you for reading to us. I enjoyed listening to your book. I love your pets. They are cute and thanks a lot. I will try to buy your wonderful book. Your performance was great. I have three dogs myself. I know what it is like to have a lot of pets, but thanks again.
Genny |
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The kids love to read about Spencer and worry until the very end that he’ll get his family and then we are all happy. We hope to meet him one day! J
Christie, Jake, and Maggie, NC
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"Hello Debbi i am a child from ASKEW ELEMENTARY i am very happy with my new book (a diffrent kind of family)! i hope you will be the worlds most goodest auther and iliistrator when i grow up i will rewrite this book and tell the whole world you existed and wrote the story while i rewrote it and i will defenitly read it to the whole woooooorld!!"
sincerely yours,
ASKEW CHILD
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"I want to thank you for sending me a copy of your beautiful book in honor of Fay MacLachlan and Kris Kristofferson! You are a fantastic author!
Deb, I absolutely loved reading your book about Spencer and loved your illustrations! The book should be read by eveyone and I hope your sells are thru the roof!"
Sincerely,
Nancy Parker-Simons
Executive Director, Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch
Author - "The Road to Utopia - How Kinky, Tony, & I Saved more animals than Noah"
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"I received it (the book) Saturday (11/25) in perfect condition. I liked the book very much, the way the story was written would make it suitable for either adults or children and the illustrations are very cute. Let me know when you publish another one."
Kitty
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Debbi, I LOVED the book! In fact, I showed it to a friend this weekend and she's going to buy one! I'll keep showing it around before I send it to my grandson for Christmas!"
Kay, TX
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"I got the book today and I love it! Truly,
Truly, Truly! My daughter Sam and I read it together, she is thinking she might like to have one too...We were both so happy that Spencer found a home (of course, I knew he would). PLEASE put my name on the list for the next book."
Linnie, NM
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"I wanted to tell you I LOVED YOUR BOOK!, "A Different Kind of Family". I would love to get updates on Spencer and get your next book, so I will go to your merlinmagic website.
Keep writing you are great!
Tricia, SC
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"I have read this book several times, and am a grown adult. It is so charming that I have enjoyed it each time, as have the others I have shown it to. The sentiment is lovely, the pictures engaging, and the message applicable to those of all ages – from little children to grown adults. It is more than a children’s book – it is a loving testimony to the way animals enrich our lives and our growth as human beings for having invited them to share our homes with us. The message applies to their human counterparts as well. When we open our hearts to other human beings, especially those who may be different from us, our own lives are forever changed for the good. Love the book."
Toni, TX
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"Your book is EXACTLY what I've been telling my son about our rescued dog."
Christine, TX
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"Just thought you would like to know what my granddaughters thought of your book. Both of my youngest have divorced or separated parents. The six yr. old wanted to take her book for show and tell. The teacher liked it so much she read it to the class. As there are so many kids from split homes; she thought they would associate with the animals. I think that's why my granddaughters loved the book. My nine yr. old also loved the book. She said she was going to save the book for her babies."
Barb, KY
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"Your illustrations made me both laugh and cry. What a wonderful story! What a wonderful dog!"
Sue, KY
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"My sister says that my nephews absolutely LOVE the book! Asher and Jered make her read it to them every night. And when they saw Spencer's photo at the end and learned he was a real dog, they thought that was so cool. It also enabled my sister to tell them about all the little animals in the world who are in need of good homes. So I wanted to let you know what a big hit the book was!
Kim, TX
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