Welcome home, Harley by Jess Black

Little Paws series. Ill. by Gabriel Evans, Random House Australia, 2017.
ISBN 9780143781776
(Age: 6-8) Recommended. Themes: Guide dogs - training, Puppies, Family life. Guide Dogs Australia rely on the help of hundreds of puppy raisers each year, these families take an eight week old puppy into their homes and train them up, preparing them for a life as a service dog. Each litter of puppies is named for the same letter of the alphabet. The sale of each of these Little Paws series' books helps raise awareness and finances to support this important cause.
Nine-year-old Lexie and seven-year-old Tom Walker can't contain their excitement when their parents agree to become a puppy raising family. Brett the officer in charge is there to talk the family through the special concerns, issues and important job of helping Harley the eight-week-old Labrador pup become a confident young dog. However, this puppy is a bundle of energetic and mischievous fun. The Walker family haven't had a puppy before and Harley is good at chewing the children's toys, destroying the bathroom where she sleeps and causing beanbag explosions.
With Brett's assistance, instructions from the Guide Dog Training Manual, Mum and Dad's help and with Lexie's family planner, Harley learns the skills needed ready for her new role.
Jess Black's easy to read chapter book includes facts about the Guide Dogs Australia organisation and fun information about raising a service dog. This is a fun story for pet lovers who are beginning to read chapter books. This is complemented by Gabriel Evans' line drawings of Harley and the Walker family.
Rhyllis Bignell