book. From common
breeds like the Beagle
and Cocker Spaniel to
more exotic ones like the
Saluki or the Bull Ter-
rier, there is a wide array
of breeds and poems to
match. The author and
illustrator have done a
remarkable job captur-
ing each with words and
artwork.
We are all well
aware of the heroism
and valor of dogs in
search, rescue, protection, and service, but have you ever heard
of a time traveling dog? Author Kate Messner has created such
a dog in her books about Ranger. In Ranger in Time: D-Day
Battle on the Beach (Scholastic, New York, 2019, $5.99), she
tells the exciting adventure of a Golden Retriever named Ranger
who travels back in time to come to the aid of an American sol-
dier, a Jewish boy who is being hidden from the Nazis, and to
protect the farmer who is hiding him. Punctuated by the chaos of
the day and danger of the time, this chapter book for young read-
ers will leave them with an understanding of this time in history
and wanting to read more time-
travel adventures of Ranger.
For children who like series
books and dogs, this is the per-
fect match.
So get your dog, your fa-
vorite book, and pick a spot
that is cool and comfortable.
Settle in for some engaging
summer reading, and don’t for-
get to “rrrrrrrr-ead” out loud
to your pet. We all know how
dogs (and children) love to be
read to.
Dr. Donna Phillips is an associate professor in the College of
Education at Niagara University where her specialty is literacy
and children’s literature. She lives on Grand Island, NY and is
the mother of two adult children and the grandmother of one.
August 2019 WNY Family 25