My Buddy

In this picture-book examination of a very special relationship - one based on a real-life child and his dog - a wheelchair-bound boy with muscular dystrophy and his golden retriever helper dog, Buddy, work together as a team. Explaining all the things that Buddy can do for him - turning light switches on and off, pushing elevator buttons, picking up things that have fallen - the boy also describes the training process they both went through, at a Service Dog "boot camp." Although Buddy is his best friend, he is also a working dog - something that is emphasized throughout, with the frequent statements about people not being able to pet or hug him, while he is working - and accompanies the boy to school, where he is the quietest student show more in the class...

An engaging introduction to the idea of service dogs, My Buddy is also a story that can teach young readers about the needs and desires of disabled children: that (like any other kid) they long both for independence and for companionship. How lovely that the Buddys of this world can provide both for them! I appreciated the fact that Osofsky's narrative emphasizes all the hard work that goes into training a service dog, and the fact that the person being helped also has to learn quite bit. Ted Rand's artwork didn't particularly stand out to me, but I think it is engaging enough to keep young readers' attention. show less

Audrey Osofsky's My Buddy is a delightful and engaging first-person narrative about Buddy, a Golden Retriever, who is Service Dog for a young boy with muscular dystrophy. Narrative and illustrations are not only informative, but also heartwarming and sweetly humorous at times. I loved the episode where Buddy picks up a bag of doggy treats at the pet store, and I also chuckled (as the other children in the school cafeteria did) when Buddy "retrieves" the boy's empty milk can from the trash bin. Buddy clearly loves his job, loves the young boy; they are a team. As the young boy points out, before Buddy, he had to rely on friends, family, even strangers to help him with the many things he could not do by and for himself. Buddy is the young show more boy's arms and legs; he provides and gives independence.

I especially appreciate the fact that My Buddy not only focuses on the daily life and routine of the young boy and Buddy, but also demonstrates the hard work that goes into the training of a Service Dog. The young boy does not simply receive a trained "machine" (both Buddy and he have to get used to each other, learn how to work with each other). The instruction and lessons are hard for both of them, sometimes even frustrating, but ultimately more than worth it.

Although I am glad that neither the teacher nor the young boy's classmates have problems with there being a dog in class, I do wonder wether the easy acceptance of Buddy's presence at school is perhaps not a trifle too effortless, too uncomplicated. I think it would make for a more interesting and realistic story, had there been some obstacles to overcome (maybe classmates who refuse to heed the rule of not petting Buddy while he is working, or a classmate or teacher who is allergic to or afraid of dogs). A further minor problem (at least for me) is the fact that we never learn the name (the actual identity) of the young boy. I know that My Buddy is written as a first-person account, but not knowing the young boy's name, while on the other hand knowing his friend's and his Service Dog's name, kind of depersonalises the boy to an extent. show less

My Buddy is a story about a service dog, Buddy, and his owner, who has muscular dystrophy and is in a wheelchair, work hand in hand to make the narrator's life easier. The narrator used to have his friends or his parents help him, but he wanted to get a service dog. This book explains exactly what a service dog is and gives examples of what it does for it's owner. The narrator and Buddy had to go to a two week training, where they learned to trust and listen to each other. I think this is a great book because it's extremely informational and is great if you want to know more about service dogs. In the end, a service dog is more than just a dog that helps, but is a friend.

Buddy is a service dog to a young boy with muscular dystrophy. The young boy adores Buddy and says that they are best friends. Buddy helps the young boy go to school, pick up things, and opens doors. The boy explains that life before Buddy was difficult, but now he feels much better and enjoys Buddy's company.
I liked that the author placed the character in an environment of a young boy's setting. He goes to school, the park, and plays video games with his friends. I also liked that the author included bits and pieces of the boy's past before he got Buddy. She did an excellent job illustrating the character and his adaptive equipment accurately. She also touched on the important subject of service dogs and how it is not appropriate to show more touch or feed them while they are on the job. show less

In this book we are given a chance to explore the different disabilities that people can have. Young readers who are curious are given many explanations and answers any concerns they may have about certain disabilities. This book shows the different equipment used to help the disabled and how disabled people can still live their lives to the fullest. I really love how this book exposes young readers to ask questions and to confront the topic of disabilities. So many children have disabilities and so many children are unsure of how to go about befriending someone who may seem "different" from them. This book shows that even if a child has a disability they are no different from their peers. Very informative and easily understandable for show more young readers. I know there are better stories out there about assistant dogs, but this book does a fine job at introducing the topic. show less

I really enjoyed this book because I am a huge dog lover and this book is about a young boy whose best friend is a dog. But, his dog is the one who looks after him everyday because he's diagnosed with the disease muscular dystrophy and has to be in a wheel chair. Buddy learned commands to be able to help the young boy with simple things we take for granted we can do. Buddy helps him pay for the groceries at a grocery store, turning lights on/off, pushing elevator buttons, getting things from high shelves, etc. The young boy feels lucky to have such a wonderful dog to help him do things other kids can do, but he can't. The book does focus on things that the young boy can't do but it shows his relationship with Buddy and how he is there show more to help him. The book grabs my attention because I start to feel sorry for the young boy because he can't do so many little things that I take for granted. I can't imagine being confined to a wheel chair, not being able to reach for things, push a button, turn on lights, etc. But, luckily for this boy, his buddy is there for him. I believe the books shows: Promote empathy and an overall feeling of understanding for people with disabilities, as well as provide accurate information about a specific disability. I really liked this book and would definitely share this with my students. Also, the illustrations were great. show less

This story is very cute and informational all at the same time. The big idea of the story is friendship along with Muscular Dystrophy. The boy in the story as M.D and has a service dog that does things for him that he cannot do himself. The book illustrates what a service dog does such as turning on the lights. The story has a great message that shows that a disability and being wheelchair bound does not hold you back or make you less capable. The illustrations in the story are very realistic and go along well with the story. I loved this story and will definitely include it in my classroom.