More than Man's Best Friend: Tuesday Tucks Me In by Luis Carlos Montalvan

Why hello there!

What a pleasure it is to see your smiling face today as we embark on another bookish adventure here at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.  I appreciate your stopping by and welcome your comments, suggestions and random thoughts with an open mind and open comments with every post.

Today, we’re exploring a Children’s editon of Non-Fiction story previously released for an adult audience.  It’s the classic story of a man and his dog but with a lot more heart.  Don’t believe me?  You will once you catch a glimpse of this little wonder.  Make room in your afternoon for today’s featured book of choice…

Tuesday Tucks Me In:

The Loyal Bond Between a Soldier and his Service Dog

By

Fmr. Captain Luis Carlos Montalvan

With Brett Witter

Photographs by

Dan Dion

9781596438910

Roaring Brook Press

For those of you that follow my site, this title may ring familiar to you and with good reason.  You see, once upon a time there was a book released titled Until Tuesday.  It detailed the life of a young man changed more than you can imagine by his time in service to our country and the obstacles he faces now from the after affects.  It’s quite a story, both shocking and illuminating in equal turns; at it’s heart though, it’s about finding yourself again, even if that self is unrecognizable to the former you. 

Here we have his story told once again but this time, it’s through the eyes of his most trusted companion…Tuesday.  He’s more than a Golden Retriever, more than a highly trained service dog, more than a companion providing endless hours of friendship….he’s a lifeline and a true hero himself.  Thanks to Tuesday and his unfailing care, Luis is able to tackle each new day.  Step by step, moment by moment, from here to there and back again, with him by his side, the horrors he witnessed may not be held completely at bay, but they are easier to cope with.  The crowds and feelings of suffocation are shaken by a warm hug or wet nose merely a heartbeat a way.  We always knew those with pets lead a less stressful life, but the way Tuesday turned Luis’ world around is nothing short of a miracle…and here’s it’s accessible to the even the youngest audience.

 With that beautiful smile and those soul warming brown eyes, if you manage not to fall under his spell…more power to you; as for me, I’m a goner.  Between his obvious appeal and all he’s done to change the life of one (as well as many), his story is certainly worth sharing….and the creative way this particular version unfolds makes it an engaging read for all.  With each turn of the page, you are greeted with Tuesday in action, whether it be his morning wake up call, a walk through the subway terminal, or play time with his best-est human companion, Luis.  You see the many ways that Tuesday helps his two legged friend on a day by day, moment by moment basis and are left without a doubt as to why his species is known as man’s best friend.

So, in conclusion, we have more than just another storybook, but a tale of what happens after the wound has been left and the pieces need putting back together.  It shows us that some things are too much to be handled by our lonesome and that asking for help, needing the assistance of another does not make us any lesser a person or weaker in spirit, but it can be the difference between struggling through life and actually living.  Bookmarks up to our authors (and the photographer too!) for letting us inside their daily routines once again and doing it in such an amazing way.

ARC for review courtesy of Ksenia at MacMillan Children’s Publishing Group.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as their full catalog, be sure to stop by their official site.  The release date is scheduled for next week, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf near you very soon or pre-order it today at your favorite online retailer.

Until next time…happy reading!