The Doggy Diva Diaries Presents: Miss Olive: Finds Her Furever Home - Review + #Giveaway

Disclosure:  I was sent a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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I was recently asked to review an award-winning book for children called Miss Olive Finds Her Furever Home, written by Susan Marie.  This children's picture book is the first in the Miss Olive trilogy, and a must have for young readers who love animals, especially dogs.  My oldest is a huge dog lover, and hopes to be a vet one day, so that she can help animals when they are sick.  She also can't wait until she is older, so that she can volunteer at animal shelters, and help find furever home for all the animals.  :-)

All of our dogs have been rescue dogs, so my girls know the importance of adopting over buying dogs from stores and kennels.  They also have experienced unconditional love from their fur babies, as well as how to take care of an animal.  So, when I was asked to review this new children's book, I jumped at the opportunity, as I knew my girls would love reading it.

Here is more about this book:

"Recommended for ages four through nine, Miss Olive Finds Her Furever Home teaches children an important lesson about life and what it means to be accepted for who you are. Through the Miss Olive book series, children learn that bringing a pet into a loving home can be an incredibly rewarding experience.

Miss Olive Finds Her Furever Home, which was recently awarded the Dog Writers Association of America Maxwell Medallion for 2018 Children’s Book of the Year, follows a little Italian Greyhound with three legs who is alone in an animal shelter. She dreams of being taken in by a loving family. On her journey to find her forever home, Miss Olive feels love and kindness from her foster mom and finds friendship with other animals who are waiting for adoption. One by one, all of the other dogs are adopted into happy families and Miss Olive begins to wonder if it will ever happen for her.

Miss Olive Finds Her Furever Home is an engaging tale about a sweet little pup who finds her family. Children who have read the book (and who have met the real Miss Olive in-person) have responded warmly and have welcomed her into their book collection and into their hearts."

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The story itself was heartwarming and will have kids learning about the importance of friendship, as well as accepting others the way they are, no matter their appearance, etc.  If you take a closer look at the cover of the book shown above, then you will notice how the dog on the cover, who is the main character, Miss Olive, only has 3 legs.  My girls didn't notice this at first, but as we started to read the story, they learned Miss Olive only had 3 legs, and were quick to flip to the front cover to see if it showed this.

When my girls read that Miss Olive only had 3 legs, and was left alone in the shelter, they felt really sad.  All of our small rescue dogs were in the shelters for a long time, and not being adopted.  Our most recent rescue pup was going to be put down as she was returned three times for her aggressive behavior with other animals.  It turned out that when she was found before being brought to the shelter, she was alone on the streets in NY.  She was found with an electrical cord around her neck, all cut up and with her bones showing due to being starved.  Hearing this, I couldn't help but feel bad for her, and understood why she was skittish and being standoffish to people and other animals.  She was abused and neglected, and had to fend for herself.  I could not see her being put down, so we adopted her.  She has come a long way since we adopted her a couple years ago. Even though she is protective of us, and not a fan of people and animals she doesn't know, she has warmed up to us, and trusts us.  She provides the best snuggles and kisses, and has a warm bed (our bed) to lay on each and every night.

Reading Miss Olive Finds Her Furever Home, and knowing how many animals are overlooked in shelters due to behavior or special needs, it made my girls really appreciate this story.  They both loved how the story had a happy ending, just like our rescue dog, Milly, had a happy ending.  In addition to the cute story, this book is also filled with whimsical and playful photos that help bring this story to life.  Kids and adults will love reading all about Miss Olive's journey to find her furever home in this best selling book.  If you are looking for a new book to share with your animal-loving child, I highly recommend this book.  I am so happy we were sent this book, and were able to be introduced to Miss Olive.  She is such a special dog, and we are happy she has a happy ending and a family who loves her, even though she is different than most dogs, with only three legs.

--GIVEAWAY--

Thanks to the author, one lucky Inspired by Savannah reader will have an opportunity to win a copy of Miss Olive: Finds Her Furever Home, to share with their kids.  To enter please complete the entries on the Rafflecopter form below.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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About the Author:

Since 2003, when The Doggy Diva Show aired its first broadcast, Susan Marie and her canine co-hosts - the doggy divas themselves - have been committed to sharing important health and lifestyle information for pets and pet parents, with help from pet professionals, authors, and national industry experts including Bob Barker, Dean Koontz, Julia Cameron, Alison Eastwood, and America's Veterinarian, Dr. Marty Becker. The show was inspired by and continues to honor its original mascot, "Sophia the Doggy Diva," who captured the hearts of listeners, becoming "the voice of the voiceless" for homeless animals everywhere. Since 2007, Susan and her divas have penned the bi-monthly editorial column "Diva Delights," which promotes animal adoption, fostering, and "paying it forward." The parent of three foster/rescue dogs, Susan is a passionate advocate for animal rescue and is committed to promoting adoption, fostering, spaying/neutering, and the importance of donating time and money to local animal shelters and rescues. Susan is inspired by her aunt, an award-winning children's book author and animal advocate. Susan is a member of the Florida Writers Association and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).

About Miss Olive:Miss Olive Finds Her Furever Home is the first book in a trilogy about the adventures of Miss Olive, an Italian Greyhound rescue. The real Miss Olive was adopted in 2015 by author Susan Marie from Italian Greyhound Rescue Florida. Miss Olive was a victim of neglect and health issues, having lost her teeth due to lack of medical attention and one of her legs to cancer. The neglect and illness that she experienced has never affected her loving, gentle spirit; she is always ready for a snuggle.

Miss Olive joins Susan Marie at the microphone each week as the co-host of radio show The Doggy Diva Show, Pet Life Radio. In addition to her co-hosting duties, Miss Olive is now the author of Diva Delights, her editorial column in Suncoast Pet magazine, which runs every other month.
Miss Olive Finds Her Furever Home is available on Amazon and BarnesandNoble.com.

Learn more about Susan, Miss Olive and Miss Olive’s book trilogy by visiting www.TheDoggyDiva.com.

Disclosure:  I was sent a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.