Bella and I are howling with excitement to be part of the blog tour for To Dogs, with Love written by Maria Gianferrari and illustrated by Ishaa Lobo. This picture book honoring all the ways dogs celebrates its book birthday on December 5, 2023. Thanks to author Maria Gianferrari for sharing an e-copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Confession. I was late to the dog loving party. As a child, I didn’t have much interaction with dogs and when I did, I was scared. When I met my husband 23 years ago, his dog, Beaglie, changed my whole perspective which is now evident with my blog. As I read To Dogs, with Love, I kept thinking about Beaglie as well as Etta and Bella and how grateful I am for their unconditional love.
Beginning with the words, “Dear Dogs,” Gianferrari directly addresses our canine companions. On each page spread, she thanks dogs by identifying one of their features and how it brings us joy. Lobo’s warm, expressive artwork perfectly complements Gianferrari’s concise, melodic text. I especially love this illustration which brings together kids, dogs, and books, all things I love.
As other physical characteristics such as fur, paws, and tongues are thanked, Gianferrari weaves in different jobs that dogs perform to support humans but especially kids. Dogs provide comfort to kids testifying in court, experiencing grief, and battling illness. Pups also provide purpose to adults in prison who train them to be therapy dogs. As always, Gianferrari consciously chooses vivid verbs such as nuzzling exposing kids to rich vocabulary.
Gianferrari’s heartwarming tribute continues by recognizing dogs’ daily behaviors such as playing, sitting and staying. And the best of all, snuggling in bed. Readers can see the sheer love between the dog and boy in Lobo’s gorgeous artwork.
At the end of the book, back matter shares more information on therapy dogs including websites. As advocate of animal rescue, Gianferrari reminds readers to adopt, not shop which is also conveyed in Lobo’s final illustrations where many have gathered for a dog shelter fundraiser. In fact, the Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry is an organization that inspired this book.
Grateful to Gianferrari and Lobo for creating the love letter all our dogs deserve. And thanks to Beaglie, Etta, and Bella for your warmth and love.
About the Author:
For Maria Gianferrari, dog love is the most pawsitive medicine of all! To Dogs, with Love is Maria’s seventh book featuring beloved canine characters, following Being a Dog: A Tail of Mindfulness, Operation Rescue Dog, Hello Goodbye Dog, Officer Katz and Houndini, and the Penny & Jelly series.
About the Illustrator:
Ishaa Lobo is a children’s Book Illustrator living in London. She is the illustrator of The Mystery of the Love List by Sarah Glenn Marsh; To Dogs, with Love by Maria Gianferrari; and There’s Always Room for One More by Robyn McGrath. Her next book, Bigfoot’s Big Heart, written by Sarah Glenn Marsh, will be released next year. In her spare time she likes to visit galleries, go to the cinema, and go on walks. See her work at ishaalobo.com.
Enter Beagles & Books’ Giveaway!
- Follow me @lauramossa on Twitter and retweet my To Dogs with Love giveaway tweet.
Beagles & Books 
Thanks so much for sharing our book & the lovely review, Laura! I’m so glad you have Bella in your life, and know how you still miss Etta <3.
And LOVE this photos at the end!!
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