ABOUT THE BOOK
Written by Hillary Harper
Illustrated by Felipe Calv
Ages 3-8 | 38 Pages
Publisher: Cannoli & Co. Books | ISBN-13: 9798988363637
Publisher’s Book Summary: Meet Mack, the pup with emotions as big as his paws! At times, Mack finds himself overwhelmed by his feelings. His stomach is filled with butterflies, his legs grow wobbly, and he feels short of breath. Thankfully, Mack has his trusty sidekick, Gertie, to guide him through the tough times. Together, they explore ways to manage and overcome these powerful emotions.
Through Mack’s journey, children can learn breathing exercises, visualization techniques, and other self-regulation activities that can be practiced in their daily lives.
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MY REVIEW
Meet Mack. He is a big dog “on the outside,” but “on the inside he felt small.” Mack is like many children (of all ages); he doesn’t like thunderstorms, loud noises, new people, or being left alone. When any of these things happen, Mack’s legs get wobbly, his tummy feels full of butterflies, and he can’t seem to catch his breath. Then his family brings a new dog home and she and Mack become best friends. Gertie teaches Mack her special rhyme for when she feels scared. “1-2-3, a deep breath for me, 4-5-6, blow it out like candlesticks, 7-8-9, everything will be fine, when I get to 10, I do it again.” As Mack reminds himself to use the helpful rhyme, he learns to feel like a big dog inside and out. The illustrations capture Mack’s efforts to cope with his discomfort. Readers will see him hiding under a desk (only halfway under, because he is a big dog), cuddling with “his special toy, Mr. Fox,” and doing some deep breathing. Gertie’s irrepressible personality, as well as her funny appearance - “like a potato with sticks for legs” - come through clearly. Photos in the back of the book show real life Mack and Gertie. This is a great story to share with children, whether they have any particular anxieties or not. Learning to take a few breaths and help yourself calm down in a situation that makes you nervous or upset is a useful skill at any stage of life. I can see teachers and counselors keeping a copy of this book on hand to share with kiddos having a bad day and needing some help in reclaiming their calm.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Her love of children’s books helped launch her book company, Cannoli & Co. Books, in 2023. Cannoli & Co. Books bring engaging, timeless, and creative stories to children and adults alike. The company is named after Hillary’s “best boy”, an English cream golden retriever named Cannoli. He and his canine brothers and sisters are the inspiration for her funny stories.
Hillary is a native of Ohio. She has three teenage daughters, who also inspire her on a daily basis. She is a second generation teacher and writer, following in the footsteps of her parents. Outside of her professional life, Hillary enjoys spending time gardening, taking care of her house plants, and going on adventures.
Learn more about Hillary and her book company at cannolicobooks.com.
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Hi! This book was so much fun to write and has been even more fun to read aloud. I'm happy to answer any questions about the book, or the real life Mack and Gertie.
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