As I sit down to write this, I think about how the world and its happenings are so big and we are so small. Children are the tiniest ones facing this giant world. Well, that is, until little Lola came along…
Lola is a five pound Yorkshire Terrier who beat the odds and became of the smallest inspirations in the form of a therapy dog and now also a children’s book star! A therapy dog is a dog that is meant to comfort people who need help, like children with specials needs, the ill, or the elderly. The author of Lola’s encouraging stories, Marcia Goldman, has a degree in special education and spent 25 years focusing on therapeutic programs for children with autism and their families.
The Lola series of books are easy to read and understand. All of the stories feature real-life pictures of Lola, rather than illustrations. My children loved every picture of this adorale pup and they also found it exciting that she’s a Yorkie like our dog, Woody.
Lola Goes to Work is a story about itty bitty Lola and her big job, as she displays hard work and determination to achieve her goals. Lola Goes to the Doctor tells of Lola’s nervousness turned to bravery as she faces a visit to the doctor. As my six year old daughter describes Lola and Tattletale Zeke, “Zeke always tells on Lola because he doesn’t know that tattling is not nice. When the cat tattles on him, it makes him sad. At the end, he learned his lesson because Lola didn’t tattle on him.” The newest addition to the collection, Lola Goes to School comes at a perfect time as my children are starting school this week and they learn all about those first-day jitters as Lola goes to school!
Normally I like to wait before cracking open a review item, because I have other things to work on but my kids got a peek at the Lola books and went crazy. After I said they could, my four year old immediately snatched up a book and plopped herself on the couch to read. She showed me how cute and funny she thought all of the pictures were. Her favorite picture was Lola in the car in Lola Goes to Work.
The older girls, who can read, read the books aloud to everyone and it’s nice to watch the lessons soak in. They talked about Lola and my six year old said that she loved these books because of how brave and tiny Lola is. My oldest said, “I love when Lola was eating lunch with all of the other dogs at school. You can see all of the cubbies with their names in the background.”
I think that these books are such a sweet way to approach everyday life problems with children. Little Lola’s adventures inspire courage and so much learning. The girls have already asked me if there are any more Lola books for them to read.
There is a Lola Plush Puppy that looks much like the real Lola and is quite a therapy dog herself! My baby especially loves snuggling this squishy Lola and when I was sad earlier this week, my daughters handed her to me and said to feel better. I thought it was adorable that even in stuffed animal form, they knew that Lola was meant to make people feel better.
BUY:
Purchase books about Lola the therapy dog on Amazon: Lola Goes to School, Lola Goes to the Doctor, Lola and Tattletale Zeke, and Lola Goes to Work
CONNECT with Marcia Goldman & Lola:
THE GIVEAWAY:
One (1) winner will receive Lola Goes to School!
Open to US only. Ends 9/20
*The Quirky Mom Next Door received the above item(s) in exchange for her honest review. All opinions and experiences are her own only. Open to US only. Must be 18+. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. Giveaway ends September 20, 2016 at 11:59 p.m. (EST). One entrant per household/IP address. Winner(s) will be chosen at random by Giveaway Tools. Winner will be notified via e-mail and must reply within 48 hours, or a new winner will be chosen. Prize will be shipped from sponsor unless otherwise noted. The Quirky Mom Next Door is not responsible for prizes lost or damaged in transit. This giveaway is not in any way associated with or endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or any other social media network.
Adorable! I love how dogs can help people with regulating emotions, keeping calm and can prolong life
My son and I would love Lola the therapy dog
Thank You
my little niece would love Lola
Our family would all love Lola the Therapy Dog.
My niece would adore Lola! It sounds perfect for her!
Either one of my daughters would love this book!!! Animal lovers and especially dog lovers in this house.
This would be wonderful to read with my daughters. Thank you
My daughter would LOVE Lola the therapy dog. She loves the read to a dog program at her school.
My granddaughter would love Lola the therapy dog.
I think Lola would be a great help to my niece. Thanks for the chance to win
I would love Lola! I’ a huge dog lover 🙂
Can I just say Me? I love dogs and I know I would enjoy the pictures and stories.
My grandson, Oden, who is 1 1/2 would love this! He loves doggies and that was the first word he said!
My niece would love this! She loves dogs! 🙂
My son would love Lola the therapy dog.
My daughter =)
Me, my 5 and 2 year old, and everyone at the local humane society where I work! 🐕🐶🐾♡♡♡
The students where my wife teaches would love this book.
My niece would love Lola!
My son! He would love Lola!
My grand daughter, Ally
I think my niece would like her.
My son would love these books
our daughter would love lola the therapy dog.
My oldest daughter would love this!
My daughter would love this dog!
My niece would really love it
My daughter would love this dog.
My 2 year old son would love the Lola books! We have a yorkie named Lilly, and my son just loves her. He loves our dachshund Ollie and lab mix Alma, too. He adores his puppies! I think he’d love the Lola stuffed animal, too. Thanks for the giveaway!
One of the girls that I babysit LOVES all things doggy! I would love to get these for her!
My nephew would get a kick out of this book.
Thanks for the contest.
My niece loves animals, esp dogs. I think she’d love this!
wow=Lola
My granddaughter would love it.
My almost-three-year-old loves books and loves dogs — this would be great for her.
I know my niece would love it.
My 6 year old daughter would LOVE Lola the therapy dog
I know my great niece would love this. Thank you
My daughter would love it!
My nephews would love to read about Lola’s adventures.