Trouble Dog: From Shelter Dog to Conservation Hero by Carol A. Foote, illustrated by Larry Day; Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2025.
Tucker loves to play; unfortunately, that too often leads to trouble. At the animal shelter, prospective adopters find him too challenging–until Laura comes along. She thinks Tucker might be just right for a special job. A wise and patient trainer, she directs his energy with training, helping Tucker become a respected—and happy—conservation dog who successfully tracks Gila monsters, invasive plants, and even grizzly bear poop.
“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.”
~ Helen Keller
Why this book? Why will it matter to kids?
A fiction story based on the lives of two real dogs, this picture book reveals the important work of conservation dogs, but it also has an underlying message. All of us have value and worth; we just need to find our place and purpose in the world and then celebrate our strengths and gifts.
Why read aloud?
We gather to share a book. We settle into a safe space as we interact with the book. We talk and reflect, exchanging thoughts, exploring concepts, building background knowledge—and community. When read-aloud sessions are routine, children become comfortable voicing their perspectives. They grow in active listening skills and learn to respect the thoughts, feelings, experiences, and beliefs of others. When we (educators, parents, and caregivers) select age-appropriate, length-appropriate stories based on needs and abilities, we offer children the opportunity to see themselves, see others, find validation, and contemplate solutions to conflicts and challenges that they may not have considered.
Read-aloud sessions are inclusive: there is no reading skills or level barrier, and learning obstacles are mitigated by preparation prior to reading the book aloud. In a read-aloud session there is immersion as well as the comfort of distance from the challenges the characters encounter.
Reading aloud engages listeners, offering a positive, secure, stress-free “learning without struggle” experience grounded in a book, the value of which cannot be overestimated.
“You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, or who had ever been alive.” ~ James Baldwin
Levels and Layers of Learning
Grade level: 1—3
Social-Emotional Learning Themes
Acceptance, connection, courage, creativity, curiosity, dedication, diligence, effort, empowerment, encouragement, fortitude, friendship, generosity of spirit, gratitude, hope, inspiration, integrity, kindness, perseverance, persistence, perspective, relationship skills, resilience, resourcefulness, respect, responsibility, responsible decision-making, self-assurance, self-awareness, self-management, self-reliance, social awareness, tenacity, understanding
Content Area Connections: Social-Emotional Learning, Science, Geography
Using This Book in the Classroom
Hit the Ground Running Ready Resources for Educators, Homeschoolers, and Parents
The endpapers (inside covers of the book) illustrated by Larry Day pull you into the story. Take a moment to enjoy the various active poses of Trouble Dog.
A classroom guide for Trouble Dog is in the works by Eerdmans. Check Carol’s website and I’ll also announce it here on Children’s Book Corner once it’s available.
Learn more about Carol on her website.
Illustration © Larry Day
Write Away! Ideas to prompt writing
“[There is} a deep connection between how students read, write, and communicate, and how they develop socially and emotionally.” ~ Justina Schlund, Director of Field Learning for CASEL
What do you like most about Tucker? Why?
Do you have a pet that gets into trouble even though it doesn’t mean to? Describe a time when that happened. Or, imagine a pet that gets into trouble. What would it do?
What is your favorite illustration in the book? Why?
Look at the endpapers and think about Trouble Dog. Choose one word to describe Tucker. Then write a paragraph about why that word fits.
What would you like Tucker to search for and find?
Suggested by Carol: What is one special thing about you that most people might not have realized yet?
Choose one of the sections in the back of the book that interests you. Dig deeper and learn more. Write about what you find out.
Illustration © Larry Day
Poetry Break Related poetry to recite before or following the reading of this book
Poetry breaks fit perfectly into the framework of the school day. These brief moments can signal change, smooth or frame transitions—from beginning or ending the day to lining up for lunch; from zipping up backpacks and jackets to shifting from one subject to the next. Poetry breaks can reset mood or tone, providing a moment to pause, reflect, and breathe. Reading a poem aloud typically takes less than a minute, yet it can introduce or reinforce a concept, provide clarity, celebrate language, exemplify rhythm, enhance vocabulary, expand understanding, increase attention span, initiate reflection, spark imagination, or simply summon a giggle. And, poetry soothes and strengthens the spirit.
“Poetry builds resilience in kids and adults; it fosters Social and Emotional Learning. A well-crafted phrase or two in a poem can help us see an experience in an entirely new way.” ~ Elena Aguilar
A new book of poetry to pair with Trouble Dog:
- If I Could Choose A Best Day: Poems of Possibility selected by Irene Latham and Charles Waters, illustrated by Olivia Sua; see especially the chapters “The Power of You” and “Anything is Possible.”
Poetry books about dogs:
- Bark in the Park! Poems for Dog Lovers by Avery Corman, illustrated by Hyewon Yum
- Dogku by Andrew Clements, illustrated by Tim Bowers
- God Got a Dog by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Marla Frazee
- The Smell of Wet Dog: And Other Dog Poems and Drawings by Barney Saltzberg
And Then There’s This…
Enrichment activities, related books, online resources, craft projects, and ideas for further study
The Junior Library Guild offers a “Dog-Inspired” webcast available on YouTube featuring interviews with the creators of Trouble Dog and Barney Saltzberg, creator of the poetry book, The Smell of Wet Dog.
Additional interviews with Carol can be found here and here.
Book Collection Suggestions
Picture Books that center on dogs:
- Air Miles by Bill Salaman, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
- Bailey by Harry Bliss
- Bark, George by Jules Feiffer
- Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters from Obedience School by Mark Teague
- Dog Heaven by Cynthia Rylant
- Don’t Eat Bees (Life Lessons from Chip the Dog) by Dev Petty, illustrated by Mike Boldt
- Hazel the Handful by Jamie Michalak, illustrated by Matt Myers
- I’ll Always Love You by Hans Wilhelm
- Rocket Writes a Story by Tad Hills
- Stay: A Girl, a Dog, a Bucket List by Kate Klise, illustrated by M. Sarah Klise
- What Coco Can Do by Maribeth Boelts, illustrated by Stephanie Laberis
Chapter Books and Middle Grade:
- A Collie Called Sky by Helen Peters, illustrated by Ellie Snowdon
- Ada Twist and the Disappearing Dogs by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts, illustrated by Jennifer Naalchigar
- A Home for Goddesses and Dogs by Leslie Connor
- Smart Dog by Vivian Vande Velde
- They Call Me No Sam! by Drew Dawalt, illustrated by Mike Lowery
- Walkin’ the Dog by Chris Lynch
Have a title to suggest? Scroll down to add it in the Comments section at the end of this post.
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Meet the Author
Photo credit: Di Starr
Carol A. Foote
Carol A. Foote writes to explore ideas that move or fascinate her and to share her love for the world and everything in it. She loves writing for kids because their minds are open to exploring, learning, and imagining. Carol is a former freelance science writer and photojournalist with master’s degrees in history and journalism. She taught science news writing and photojournalism at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Her work has appeared in Time, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and popular science magazines. Besides writing, photography, and travel, Carol loves history, science, reading, and long walks in the hills around her home. She lives near Santa Cruz, California, with her husband, their dog, and two cats. Learn more on Carol’s website.
Backstory: Q & A with Carol A. Foote
I invited Carol to join me at the Children’s Book Corner after having read a review copy of her debut picture book that not only tells us about what conservation dogs do by way of a captivating story, but also offers young readers an important message about finding and honoring our value and purpose even if it doesn’t meet others’ expectations. I’ve enjoyed collaborating with Carol on this blog post and appreciate the care she took in responding to my questions, her earnestness, and her desire to bring valuable information and messages to young readers. I’m delighted to introduce Carol to Children’s Book Corner subscribers.
Judy Bradbury: Tell us about this project: What seeded its creation?
Carol A. Foote: Thank you so much for having me here, Judy! I’ve always loved dogs and been passionate about wildlife conservation, but I’d never heard of conservation dogs until I saw my first one, Pepin, at a Wildlife Conservation Network expo in San Francisco. Pepin’s handler, Megan Parker, who later became one of the main sources for my book, was demonstrating Pepin’s amazing abilities at the expo by hiding things and sending him off to find them. She explained how conservation dogs help biologists by sniffing out invasive plants and animals not easily detected by humans, and by finding the scat of rare or endangered species so scientists can study the animals without disturbing them.
That was all fun and impressive, but what inspired me to write this book was learning that these remarkable dogs are often abandoned at shelters and marked as trouble because they’re so energetic and rambunctious that they don’t fit into normal family life. However, the same qualities that make them trouble—their nonstop energy and intense focus—can help them become great conservation dogs. Fortunately, organizations like Working Dogs for Conservation have learned to search shelters for such dogs and give them a second chance at life. When I heard that, I knew right away that I wanted to write this story—the true story of a rejected dog being recognized for his talents and finding a home, love, and work he enjoys that benefits the world.
JB: This is your debut picture book—and it’s a Junior Library Guild selection! How did you conceive of the story as a children’s book?
CF: Trouble Dog first appeared clearly in my mind as a picture book. I never considered anything else. The story of a dog going from being rejected to being loved and finding his place in the world just seemed to fit the picture book format. It’s a good message for all of us, but perhaps especially to children, that we can sometimes be trouble, but we are still special in other ways and can do worthwhile things.
JB: Tell us about a challenge you faced in the creation of Trouble Dog, or provide a memorable (or humorous!) anecdote related to the writing of the book.
CF: My biggest challenge was probably my own inertia! It’s hard to start, knowing the first draft won’t be good enough and is, in fact, likely to be terrible. I had to face that and get writing so I could make it better. It was an important story for me to tell, so I finally forced myself to begin. That beginning did not become the final opening, but it got me going, which was what I needed.
Once I started, the challenge was finding the right balance between the story, the factual information, and emotion. I had to do an enormous number of revisions. In early drafts, I wrote too much about Tucker’s antics and his being abandoned at the shelter. Eventually, I realized that I could leave much of that to the illustrator and have more room to write about the training and adventures in the field.
JB: What is one unexpected joy that came from the creation of Trouble Dog?
CF: It was really fun learning about the incredible things these dogs can do. I knew, of course, that dogs have an extraordinary sense of smell, but I was surprised to learn that they could detect such things as the scent of snares, which are just loops of wire, or fish under water, and things that are invisible to the human eye. A conservation dog can distinguish an invasive flower from a flower that looks identical to humans. It was also great to learn how much fun these dogs had in their jobs—they really enjoy the pursuit and teaming up with their handler. They’re excited about it.
JB: What is your favorite illustration in the book? Why?
CF: Choosing one favorite illustration is difficult! I love all the adorable little vignettes on the inside covers—there is so much to examine there! (See Writing Prompts suggestion.) I also especially love the spread in the kitchen with everything in shambles. Laura has a hand on her hip, the screen door is torn, the toaster is hanging off the counter, and the stools are knocked over. Chaos reigns, and Tucker is looking up at Laura with a toy in his mouth and an expression that says, What? I laugh every time I see that. But I also adore the illustration at the end when Tucker is kissing Laura and she’s hugging him, and the cup and hat are falling but Laura doesn’t even notice. It’s just a moment of pure love.
Illustration © Larry Day
JB: What would surprise readers to learn about you or about the writing of Trouble Dog?
CF: They might be surprised to learn that it was probably ten years from my first view of Pepin to the publication of the book. Part of that was the inertia I mentioned above. Part of it was the many drafts I wrote and the periods I put it aside. I have more than a hundred different drafts on my computer, though many only have a few changes. In terms of major revisions, I probably did more than ten, though the general direction from misfit dog to conservation dog was always there. It took almost five years for the book to be published after I accepted the offer from Eerdmans—and that was from a combination of the pandemic and the normally slow nature of picture book publication.
JB: There is extensive back matter in the book. How did you decide what to include and what do you consider to be most important about the information you provide there?
CF: I learned so much that was fascinating but didn’t fit into the story, so it was great to get to include more information in the back. I think it’s important for readers to have the chance to learn about all the amazing ways that conservation dogs help protect wildlife and our environment. But I think the most important information there is that this is a true story based on the lives of two real conservation dogs. Every experience I wrote about in the book happened to one of the two dogs. I want people to know that this isn’t just fiction—these smart, energetic, amazing dogs really are abandoned in shelters and then found by conservationists and given a home and a rewarding new life.
JB: Who do you perceive your target audience to be and why?
CF: I wrote this book thinking of my target audience as kids ages 5 to 9 or so. Kids have an enormous amount of compassion, often struggle themselves with not feeling good enough, and have a huge appetite for learning. But I’m hearing from a lot of people that the story appeals to readers of all ages. I hope that’s true.
JB: What do you hope readers will take away from Trouble Dog / What need(s) does this story satisfy?
CF: I hope readers, young and old, will take away the idea that everyone has strengths and is capable of doing amazing things, provided the chance, even if that hasn’t been recognized yet. I love that this story has that message at its core. As much as it is about the enduring relationship between dogs and humans, and about the positive work being done in the field of conservation, it’s also about everyone having value and a place in the world.
JB: How do you see Trouble Dog connecting to curriculum or being used in learning settings?
CF: Trouble Dog lends itself to being used as a lead-in to a number of different units to capture student interest and attention. It connects well to lessons about geography, wildlife, the environment, invasive or endangered plants and animals, conservation, the important roles of service dogs, animal senses, social emotional learning, and more. For instance, I think kids would be fascinated to learn that conservationists are able to gain a lot of information from animal poop, which scientists call scat. By studying scat, scientists can learn about an animal’s diet, health, population size, movements, and more—all without stressing the animal or maybe even seeing it.
JB: If you could ask your readers one question, what would it be?
CF: What is one special thing about you that most people might not have realized yet? (See Writing Prompts suggestion.)
JB: What do you remember about the first book that made an impact on you?
CF: The first book I remember falling in love with was Mary Poppins. I loved reading about real kids finding magic in the midst of their everyday world. After that, I couldn’t get my hands on enough books that let me imagine magic in my own life. But I think of science as pretty magical, too—there is so much that is magical about the world and science.
JB: What project(s) are you currently working on?
CF: I have another picture book in the works that also deals with conservation and is based on a true story. It’s about a wild cheetah in Botswana and the young girl whose love for cheetahs helps save its life. I’m also working on a middle-grade time travel novel. As much as I love science and nature, I also love the idea of visiting history through time travel.
JB: What is one question you wish I had asked, and what is your answer?
CF: Question: What made you decide to base the story on two real dogs instead of one?
Answer: After meeting Megan and Pepin, I started out to tell only their story. I think it might have been Megan who suggested I also talk to another dog’s handler. She introduced me to Aimee Hurt, and I started interviewing her and learning about her dog, Wicket, as well. Aimee told me about her training, travels, and conservation successes with Wicket, who had been in a shelter for six months when she found him. With so many interesting adventures and accomplishments between these two dogs, it made sense to use tales from both of them in the story.
Carol’s dog Lily (who is not a conservation dog) with her favorite book
Meet the Illustrator of Trouble Dog
Learn more about Larry Day and his numerous award-winning children’s books and find him on Instagram.
Illustration © Larry Day
Sidebar Spotlight New releases of note
Each month I receive several boxes of books to review from various publishers. As I read and peruse the books, I place them in two piles: those that I will consider featuring on the blog, and those that don’t fit the mission or theme of Children’s Book Corner blog for whatever reason. I highlight some of the books in the “possible” pile on Mondays (most weeks) on Instagram and Bluesky. Ultimately, I choose the one new release I will feature on my monthly blog post. Yet there are many terrific books I wish I could give a shout-out to, even if I can’t write an entire post about each one. So, Sidebar Spotlight is a means of giving a nod to new releases that, in my opinion, are noteworthy. I’ve linked each title to Bookshop so you can learn more. Happy reading, friends! And feel free to comment on these or other new books below.
Growing Green: A First Book of Gardening illustrated by Daniela Sosa is a creative picture book offering fifteen delicious garden projects with simple instructions accompanied by bright art and accessible facts. Grades 1-3.
The Hare Who Wouldn’t Share by Steve Small introduces a likable if stubborn character, who through a series of humorously illustrated but telling events, comes to realize that maybe his belief that “The more I give away, the less there is for me,” is flawed. This book is a timely one for all ages!
The Smell of Wet Dog: And Other Dog Poems and Drawings by Barney Saltzberg is tickles and giggles begging to be read aloud again and again, accompanied by illustrations any dog lover will want to hug; Junior Library Guild selection.
News, Updates, & Items of Interest
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Children’s Book Week takes place May 5-11. The 2025 slogan is “An Ocean of Stories.” Schools, school libraries, public libraries, bookstores, and individuals can sign up to participate. Each location may receive two free copies of Julie Flett’s poster, as well as access to free online resources, including bookmarks, coloring sheets, fun facts, and more.
I recently updated my social media presence to omit one platform in which I am no longer interested. You can find me on Instagram and Bluesky as well as LinkedIn where I post about books, book-related items of interest, Little Free Libraries, and occasionally travel (exclusively on IG). I hope to see you there!
You can find where my books and I will be on my Events page.
I am currently booking school visits and professional development sessions for 2025.
Photo credit: Jody LaRose
Find information and contact me to discuss a visit tailored to meet your school’s needs.
A note from a teacher whose students I recently visited:
Thank you so much for coming to meet with my students. You were wonderful, answering their questions and explaining how you wrote the book. We all loved it! Here are some illustrated thank you notes the students made for you. Thank you again!
Read-aloud of a portion of Cayuga Island Kids Book 2, The Adventure of the Big Fish by the Small Creek
Readers Theater, complete with props!
And here’s a note I received after presenting “SEL-Related Children’s Books with Curriculum Tie-Ins” to teachers and librarians of Grades Pre-K—Grade 6:
Thanks so much for presenting! I heard wonderful things about your workshop! One person mentioned to me that you were so organized and passionate. They also loved seeing all the children’s books you brought with you!
Find my books packaged as a series at your favorite bookshop or purchase directly from the publisher and receive a gift with purchase! Individual titles are also available in hard, softcover, and e-book versions.
Kindness tip: If you read and like a book, consider posting a review on GoodReads, social media, or on Amazon (if you bought it there). Authors and illustrators appreciate the shout-out. Even a one-sentence comment increases visibility of a book. Also consider placing a request with your local library to purchase a copy–another free way to support a book you recommend!
Over to You…
Join the conversation! Offer your thoughts related to this month’s post:
What book about dogs do you recommend? Share the title, author, illustrator, and suggested age or grade range.
You are also welcome to post a general comment.
Thanks for sharing!
Final Thought
“Find out who you are. And do it on purpose.”
~ Dolly Parton
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