Dog Park Blog Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

We know an ambassador as someone who represents a country, an organization or a brand. But what does a dog park ambassador do? What does it take to become one? Let's learn all about this honorable position in Kathryn Kazoleas' middle grade chapter book Dog Park. Enter to win a prize pack including signed copies of both Dog Park and its sequel Dog Daycare!

My Review:

Written from a dog's point of view, Dog Park is an amusing short story that centers around a labradoodle named Gibson. Gibson is eager to become a dog park ambassador, who is expected to keep the community in order and make everyone (humans included) feel welcomed. On her first training day however, Gibson's excitement soon gets replaced by embarrassment, for she finds it impossible to please the puppies or to suppress her instinct to catch a ball. Just as she is almost convinced that she's not quite ambassador material, she plunges herself into an emergency rescue mission, followed by an overnight adventure in the woods inhabited by aggressive bobcats.

Luckily, these challenges turn into opportunities for Gibson to practice her ambassador skills, including taking care of a naughty, restless, inquisitive puppy. As she finds her way back to the dog park, her confidence finds its way back to her.

Through Gibson's thoughts, actions and observations, the story brings to life a bunch of endearing canine characters, each with a set of distinct traits. Gibson is a bit uptight at times, but she is also kind, brave, smart, prudent and has a strong sense of responsibility. Gibson's best friend Stretch is funny, supportive, optimistic, and dependable. Who wouldn't want a friend like that?

Their story exemplifies the incredible power of friendship and teamwork. It inspires us to be a hero, a leader, and a problem-solver. The book also teaches about fun facts regarding different dog breeds. Did you know that bulldogs can't swim? Animal lovers, especially dog lovers, wouldn't want to miss this fast and entertaining read.

About the Book:

Ages 6+ | 116 Pages
Publisher: Kathryn Kazoleas | ISBN-13: 9781777426118

Gibson the Labradoodle is about to begin her first day of training to become a dog park ambassador, something she has been dreaming about her entire life. Dog park ambassadors hold a very high honor within the dog park community and have many important roles to make sure the dog park is a fun and safe place to be. She has so many great ideas and cannot wait to get started.

While Gibson is training alongside lead ambassador and trainer, Meistro the bulldog, things don’t go as planned. Gibson meets challenge after challenge and isn’t allowed to introduce any of her new ideas. Being a dog park ambassador isn’t what she thought it would be, so she starts to question whether the role is really for her. At the end of her very first training shift, and just as she’s about to give up and tell Meistro she isn’t cut out to be a dog park ambassador after all, there’s an emergency at the river. One of the dog park’s new puppies, Clover, has swum too far out and cannot get back to shore.

Gibson’s best friend and greatest supporter, Stretch the dachshund, convinces her she must help. Gibson springs into action, with Stretch at her side and encouraging her the entire time. Gibson saves the day…almost! Having been swept downstream and far away from the dog park, Gibson is forced to lead the trio back to safety. There’s only one way back through a dark forest with strange sounds and smells. The sun is starting to go down and everybody is tired and scared. But Gibson knows she has to get her friends back home, despite what or who gets in her way.

Purchase links: Amazon

About the Author:

Kathryn Kazoleas is a Canadian author. Her furry roommates and copy-editors Keeva the cat, as well as Koa and Freddy the labradoodles, inspire her stories every day. The way they see and experience the world inspires her to dream up and express what she can only describe as fun, chaotic, and innocent adventures. Kathryn has been writing for many, many years, with her most recent work being the middle-grade chapter books “Dog Park” and its sequel “Dog Daycare”. Her short story “Just Be There” can also be found in Chicken Soup for the Soul’s “My Hilarious, Heroic, Human Dog”.

For more information, visit kathrynkazoleas.com, or follow on Instagram and Twitter.

One lucky grand prize winner will receive a signed copy of Dog Park and a signed copy of Dog Daycare!

Two additional winners will each receive a signed copy of Dog Park!

Giveaway ends 2/5. Open to US and Canada only. Please enter below. Good luck!

Dog Park Book Giveaway

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in The Children’s Book Review and Kathryn Kazoleas. All views and opinions expressed are my own. icefairy's Treasure Chest is not responsible for winner selection or prize fulfillment.