Deborah Kovacs

Trained as a guide-dog for the blind, Catie the black Labrador had to find another job when she herself failed to pass an eye exam. Luckily, Boston's Fairmont Copley Plaza was in need of a "Canine Ambassador," and Catie fit the bill. Available to hotel guests for walks and runs, her days were happy and productive, but still she longed for something more - some opportunity to be of real service. And then one day, a young guest lost her beloved teddy bear...

An engaging story - based on the show more experiences of the real-life Catie Copley - and appealing illustrations by Jared T. Williams, ensure that this picture-book will please dog lovers young and old. Of course, there's always the danger that, having read Catie Copley, they'll want to meet the real dog! I myself have a soft spot for tales of working animals, whether it be hotel dogs or observatory cats, so Kovacs' book was almost guaranteed to win me over. A portion of proceeds from the sale of the book go to the The Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, where Catie was trained. show less

Catie Copley - lovable black Labrador and Canine Ambassador at Boston's Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel - experiences her first vacation in this second picture-book devoted to her adventures, following upon the 2007 Catie Copley. Introduced to the rambunctious Santol - the Canine Ambassador at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Quebec City - Catie joins her new friend at his hotel for a few days, meeting his friends and exploring his city.

As engaging as the first installment of Catie's show more picture-book "biography," Catie Copley's Great Escape introduces a second wonderful hotel dog, and an entirely new setting, both sure to appeal to fans of the original. Jared T. Williams' illustrations are wonderfully expressive, demonstrating a excellent understanding of canine body language and mood. All in all, a worthy follow-up to the first book, with a portion of the proceeds from sales going to NEADS/Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans in the United Sates, and the Mira Foundation in Canada. show less

This book was very informative for young readers. The age range for readers I think should be higher than their targeted age range. The illustrations were helpful to guide the reader through the text. I liked how the book went through multiple animals and not just ducklings on their living habitat and what they eat. The end of the book has a great informative section on just ducks and their characteristics. I didn't like amount of text per page. I think that would be too much for a K-2nd show more grade reader even though that seems to be their targeted age. show less

Genre: Fantasy/Informational
Age Appropriateness: primary
Media: colored pencil
Review: This is a good example of fantasy, because the animals take on human characteristics. They talk to one another and try to find answers by asking other animals they come into contact with. At the end of the story there are facts about turtles, what they like to eat, find shelter, each turtles shell is unique and where the go to find shade or get out of the cold.