The Adventures of a Girl & Her Dog
…in the Mountains
Dagny McKinley, Author
Ostap Stetsiv, Illustrator
Brigham Distributing, Fiction, 2015
Suitable for Ages: 4-8
Themes: A girl and her dog explore nature
Opening: These are the adventures of a girl and her dog / That played together in rain, snow and fog / Nature was their home / high in the mountains / Away from / cities, subway, planes, cars and trains.
Synopsis: A girl and her dog explore the mountains with abandonment. With no adults to restrict their explorations, they can roam through fields full of flowers, cross streams, climb trees, dig in the earth, splash in streams, watch bears, dodge bee hives, laugh, scream, and get dirty. When the girl and her dog visit the city, they have to look hard for natures’ beauty in the flowers living in the cracks of the sidewalks and in the bird’s nests sitting in gutters.
Favorite Verse: “The girl’s soul lived in the mountains / where trees grow into the clouds / Where there are rocks, there are birds / but nothing loud.”
…in the Snow
Brigham Distributing, Fiction, 2015
Opening: These are the adventures of a girl and her dog / Who play together in the snow, sleet and fog / Who love to wander where no one else goes / In temperatures of five, ten, even twenty below.
Synopsis: A girl explores the winter wonderland with her dog. As the snow begins to fall, they relish the possibilities all around them. They watch the clouds transform the landscape and find stories in the tracks left by cougars, foxes, and rabbits. While the temperatures dip, bears, marmots and chipmunks, hibernate in dens. The girl and her dog dance in the snow, run without a care, dig caves in the snow, make snow and dog angels, and watch the sun set. The world changes around them, each day they explore.
Favorite Verse: “Together they set off through the white / as light as a feather / That dances around their feet / like sugar and glitter.
Why I like this series: Dagny McKinley has written a charming series about the joy found in the changing seasons. Children will love the delicious rhyming and words choices. They will delight in romping through the natural world with the girl and dog, feel the peace and tranquility as they explore the mountains and navigate the quiet, winter snow-covered woodlands. The author is clever not to name the girl or dog, as it allows children to imagine that they are the ones having this grand adventure. Ostap Stetsiv’s illustrations are colorful, whimsical and show the wonder on the girl’s face. The warm, bright colors of summer and cool colors of winter, highlight the different seasons. Exquisite images! Nice collaborative work on this heartwarming series for children and adults.
Resources: Take children on a nature walk to explore the many wonders found in the fields, forests and streams. Since autumn is here look at the colorful leaves on trees and talk about the life cycles. Take along a camera and a journal and encourage kids to record birds and animals they see. In the winter, kids can track animal footprints in the snow, make snow angels and build a snowman.
Dagny McKinley has lived many places, but found a home in the expansive granite landscape of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. McKinley stays current on environmental issues, women’s issues and is an avid animal rights supporter. She believes all lives are interconnected and each person, landscape and insect has something to offer and teach. She is the author of The Springs of Steamboat: Healing Waters, Mysterious Cave and Sparkling Soda, and Wild Hearts: Dog Sledding the Rockies – written while working as a dog sled tour guide for three years. Visit Dagny McKinley at her website.
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books (PPB) with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books.
Everyone likes a story with a dog in it! Our new dog came from the mountains and had to learn to live in a town. I think sometimes she misses the freedom of the countryside. But she is happy. Kids will love this book.
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Thanks for sharing your story about your dog. The transition from countryside to town must have been different. I am impressed with this series. It is a great dog book, but it’s also a beautiful adventure of the natural world with the girl. Kids can easily slip into the role of the girl.
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I appreciate the message that there are many outdoor activities to keep a child busy outdoors!
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The books alone end up being a great resource for exploring the outdoors.
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With so much focus on electronics these days, this book sounds like a wonderful reminder that there’s a whole world just waiting to be explored. Wonderful review, Pat!
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Yes, there was a time when (my generation) played outside and every day was an adventure. We didn’t have the distractions, kids do today. There is a whole world waiting to be explored.
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I think I would feel a strong connection if I were to read these stories!
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You would since you love nature and being outdoors!
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I like the variety of animals they encounter. Thanks for sharing books you love.
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The books are packed with animals and it’s fun to watch them through the seasons.
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I love child/dog stories, especially as they romp through nature. Great choice as we slip from summer to fall.
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Thank you! These child/dog stories are such a great adventure series of the outdoors.
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Thankfully, despite the electronic distractions in our house, my daughter and I love stepping out into nature with our dog. This looks like a book I’m going to love sharing with her. And if our dog, Max, wants to curl up and listen, he’s always welcome. Thanks for a great review.
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Oh, thank you for sharing your story about Max and your daughter. I hope you enjoy the books.
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Mom and I are a city girl and her city dog. She takes me for nature walks a lot, though, so we don’t miss out.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
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Archie is a city dog, with a large yard to play in. We have deer and all kinds of critters roaming and he could spend his whole day outside sniffing out their scents. Just have to watch out for the big hawk during the summer.
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I love dog stories and stories that encourage kids to get out in nature and explore. So this series sounds fantastic — thanks for the recommendation! Also, I took a long hike with my dog the other day and wondered why I don’t do that more often; there is something transcendent about being out in nature with only a furry friend for company.
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I’m glad you enjoyed Dagny’s books. Yes I agree, there is something about being out in nature exploring with your dog.
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Thanks for sharing these books, Patricia. It sounds like a lovely series. I especially like your favourite verse from “In the mountains”.
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You are welcome. It is a lovely series that inspires kids to explore the outdoors.
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What a great idea for a series! I really like the cover art style.
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This is a great series for kids. And, everyone loves a good dog book.
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Who doesn’t love stories with animals? Great idea not to name the main characters. Love this!
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Yes, I thought the not naming the characters allowed kids to use their imaginations and be the characters. Great story.
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ to the author!
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Lovely story Pat and great review. I love animal stories. This reminds me a little of The Famous Five with their dog going on adventures without adults around. Must look out for this one.
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It is a wonderful adventure for children. And, everyone loves a good dog book.
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