by Sandra Murphy
We have reviews of 2 fun pet related children’s books by Dorothy Wills-Raftery. Details at the end of the post on how to win copies of both, and links to purchase them.
What’s Wrong with Gibson? A FiveSibes Tale: Learning about K-9 Epilepsy and
Getting Healthy with Harley, A FiveSibes Tale: Learning About Health and Fitness
Written by Dorothy Wills-Raftery and illustrated by Michele Littler, both books are delightful for children or Siberian Husky lovers. The first tells the tale of Gibson, the alpha leader of a family of five Siberian Huskies. When playing in the snow, Gibson falls over, shakes and is unresponsive, causing concern with the other dogs who don’t understand what’s happened to their friend. Harley recognizes a seizure and explains it to the others so they know what’s happened and what to do to help Gibson. This is a great way to explain epilepsy or other ailments to children whether in dogs or humans.
When Harley gets a clean bill of health at the vet’s office, she’s inspired to get the other Huskies to eat right and exercise too. She’s able to convince Chloe to eat carrot sticks instead of a pupcake and Gibson to swap a cookie for a bone. The dogs find a hoop and a ball, run and play all day. By nighttime, they are tired but feel good and can’t wait for the next day.
The illustrations are spot on with the goofy expressions dogs can get when they are having the best time ever. While the books are thin in size, they’re packed with information adults and children alike can use. Plus, they’d be good books to read to dogs!
A portion of the proceeds are donated to Canine Epilepsy Resources or Save Our Siberians. For more information, go to www.FiveSibes.blogspot.com and www.DogWorksRadio.com/the-sibe-vibe.
To enter to win a copies of both FiveSibes books, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “husky,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen June 11, 2016. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.
Check out more animal related articles and stories in our Pet Perspective section. Advertise in KRL and 10% of your advertising fees can go to a local animal rescue.
You can use these links to purchase these books. If you have ad blocker on you may not see the link.
Would love to read this. Never owned one. But had a neighbor who did and he was the greatest dog ever.
Wow! Great books! So important to help out our furry companions who need it.
Thanks so much for the great reviews! So glad you enjoyed the books!
These sound like wonderful books! I love the cover art, too.
The cover art is awesome. And I love Harley’s explanation to the other dogs.
I love Gibson’s story and agree that the book is a great way to help children understand epilepsy. I haven’t yet read Harley’s story, but will definitely pick up a copy soon.
Interest idea. Love the cover art too. Good way to teach about epilepsy in general.
Wow, these are awesome! Will help spreading the word.
These sound adorable! I love the idea of using the “What’s wrong with Gibson to help children understand epilepsy!
I love these books and would read and share with the kids that I look after, as I am teaching them at the moment what it means to rescue, foster and adopt – the more information the better.
What wonderful books!! They sound well written, and will no doubt help kids understand two scary illnesses in a way that will be less threatening. The illustrations really look cute!!
I love the idea of using pets to teach good things!! It’s so much more fun than mum nagging!!!
Love huskies and these books look wonderful. We have included in our top dog books for kids. Such a great way to teach kids about health and wellness.
I love Dorothy and she is a fabulous writer. These books will be terrific.
Getting Healthy with Harley has a such an awesome message for pet parents! I love the illustrations for these books as well – super cute!
These would be great books to give to a teacher as an end of the year gift.
Both books look adorable. I love that they provide education and K-9 epilepsy and children’s health. Great post!
Very cool ideas for children’s books! I had an epileptic foster dog last winter (though, he never had a seizure with me). He was returned to the shelter because he did have seizures in their home and he “scared” the children. Guess they needed to read this book. The dog is in a new forever home, though, and I know he’s loved.
These books are so cute! I love the illustrations. It is great that they are helping to educate people about animals at such a basic level of understanding. It can be hard to explain these concepts in a way children understand!
How cute, looks like stories kids can relate to!
These books look wonderful! I love that portions of the proceeds are donated to Canine Epilepsy Resources or Save Our Siberians.
We have a winner!
These sound like wonderful books. I think Huskies are beautiful dogs.
Excellent reviews of these two great books! I use Getting Healthy With Harley for tge kids in our therapy dog reading program, the kids love it! Dorothy is such a talented writer & wonderful animal advocate. She & Gibson have done an amazing job of raising awareness about dogs with Epilepsy!
I’ve been looking for some books to send to my niece and nephew for Christmas. These look like they would be the perfect ones. Thanks so much for this article!
-Chris