Reviewed by Brenda Casto for Readers' Favorite

Ever look at your dog and wonder what he might be thinking? In Duffy's World, author Faith McCune shares the story of Duffy, her Australian Shepherd. The neat thing about this story is we get to see events unfold through Duffy's eyes. His fun-filled adventure from puppyhood to full on king of his domain is such an interesting journey. We meet him as a newborn puppy and follow him to his new home where his new human parents share the ups and downs of having such a boisterous dog. He shares his view on having a cat for a sister, the reaction he has from his first meeting with the vet to the many learning experiences that made him the wonderful dog he was.

As a dog owner, I found this book a must-read. I found several of Duffy's antics to be laugh out loud funny. As we meet his extended human family, we glimpse the joy that he brings to those around him, but we also see the attachments that he forms with them as well. The author truly captures the unbreakable bond that forms between pets and their owners. The author shares the fear that Duffy feels whenever he thinks his owners are gone, but we also feel the overwhelming elation whenever his owners return. Ms. McCune easily gives voice to what I am certain animals think. Duffy's World is as informative as it is entertaining. It was easy to see the author did her research as she shared many useful tips strategically placed throughout the story. Even though I am a long time dog owner, I actually learned a few new things. Ms. McCune captures the essence of Duffy, making me feel as if I knew him. A story that had me laughing but also had me shedding a few tears. An informative yet fun read that allows us to glimpse the wonderful adventure that is "Duffy's World."

Reviewed by Karen Pirnot for Readers' Favorite

If you have a dog to train, consider picking up a copy of Think Like Your Dog and Enjoy the Rewards by Dianna Young and Robert Mottram. The premise of the book is that dogs are distinctly different from humans in their genetic make-up and if you understand that critical difference, you can effectively train almost any dog. Young explains that all dogs are naturally either followers or leaders and that they have a keen sense of rank, whether in a dog pack or in the family environment. To effectively train your dog, you must give early and prominent clues to your dog that you are in charge. Various psychological approaches which are recognized in psychological research offer diverse ways of dog training. But the ideology of positive reinforcement has proven most effective to author Young who is also a certified and award-winning trainer.

It is difficult to argue with the success of Young and readers would be smart to heed her advise. A well-trained family dog is a happy dog and the owner also derives pleasure in knowing there are limits and boundaries in the expectations and privileges of pet ownership. Terms such as reinforcement, desensitization, and social learning are all critical training components. Young believes that owners who recognize their inability to stick with a regimented training schedule would do well to enroll their dog and themselves in a training program. For those willing to undergo a rigorous training schedule, skills such as heeling, sitting, laying down, staying, and coming on command are explained in detail. Think Like Your Dog and Enjoy the Rewards is an easy to comprehend manual that should be on the shelf of every new dog owner.

Reviewed by Lisa Jones for Readers' Favorite

Rescue Me by Val Silver is a remarkable book about rescue animals, primarily dogs. The book focuses on several true stories which are each very different. In most cases, each dog rescued and saved comes with a lot of baggage. Yet, it is the dog who gives more to the new owner, even after their ordeal. The stories truly reflect how an animal can change your life dramatically. Maybe God has a helping hand and some of us were meant to meet a certain dog at a certain time. This is the author's philosophy and one I tend to agree with. The book also highlights the needs of such animals in today's society. Also, I found out that most of the proceeds from this wonderful book will go to animal charities and rescue centres. That in itself makes this book just a little extra special. There are also some lovely quotes and poems in this book which give it a lovely twist. Also, the pictures are fantastic.

Val Silver has indeed captured my heart with this wonderful book, Rescue Me. It is full of different remarkable stories about giving a dog a second chance. The one thing that shines through each story is the clear connection of love and devotion in each case. I personally found this book to be like a little ray of sunshine and no dog is beyond saving. There were clearly some very devoted fosters and owners in this book. They all relate with their unique story to how a dog has changed their lives for the better. I especially liked the story of how the older dogs were given a second chance. I found it very moving and my all-time favourite has to be the Beagle they call Lollipop with the broken jawbone. What a lovely little character and a symbol of hope. I recommend all to read this heart-warming collection of stories and help donate to an animal shelter by knowing where the proceeds from this book are going.

Reviewed by Cheryl Schopen for Readers' Favorite

Filled with astonishing photographs presented by underwater photographer Charles E. Rawlings, Living Shells is a fantastic blend of art and science. Separated into sections by different shell types, this book will captivate you with several colorful, mesmerizing pictures of each kind of shell. Not only will you appreciate the beauty of each photo, but you will learn some very interesting facts about these fascinating creatures, such as which can be surprisingly deadly and which survived the extinction of the dinosaurs millions of years ago. You will enjoy portraits of common shells in a way that you have never seen and uncommon shells that have rarely or never been photographed. From gastropods to conchs to cephalopods and everything in between, you will quickly see that these living shells can be just as beautiful as they are scientifically appealing.

Charles E. Rawlings’ Living Shells is the perfect addition to my once-lonely coffee table. Other than the fact that seashells are pretty and that we occasionally collect them from the beach, I never really gave them much thought. After reading and looking through this book, I now have a better understanding and a new-found respect for these intriguing creatures. Not only are they interesting, but they are also completely and utterly stunning. I was instantly drawn to these breathtaking pictures, and I am ecstatic that I now have them to look at whenever I choose. This book will now be the center of attention in my living room, and I couldn’t be happier.

Reviewed by Lee Ashford for Readers' Favorite

Real Dogs Don’t Whisper by Kelly Preston is a heart-warming, amazing, love-filled, and heart breaking tale that every dog lover should read. But be warned: you WILL shed tears along with the laughter. Kelly begins with a brief biography of her childhood, moving quickly to the day she walked past a pet store and saw a cute little Lhasa Apso puppy in the window, its tail just wagging away. All night she thought about that puppy, and told herself if the dog was still there in the morning, she would buy it. It was, and she did. Thus began the story of a wonderfully compassionate young woman and the life and love she shared with several special dogs. She named that first puppy Gizmo. Gizmo was followed by Mr. Magoo, Carla Mae, Betty Boop and Buffy, not necessarily in that order, and not all at the same time. Each of these dogs had special needs. They each suffered from some combination of cancer; neuroses; anxiety; blindness; birth defects; physical, emotional and mental abuse, even including the unbelievably perverse and cruel sexual abuse; defensive aggression; and other special needs. In spite of this… or perhaps because of this, Kelly gave her all to provide food, shelter, medication, care, and most of all: love to each special dog. In return, she received unconditional love multiplied many times over.

Real Dogs Don’t Whisper is co-written by Mr. Magoo, who cleverly and with humor provides the dogs’ perception of life with Kelly. This story is not one you can put down for long. The horror stories Kelly tells will break your heart, and make you wonder how any human being could ever be so incredibly cruel. The love stories Kelly tells will warm your heart, and make you wonder why every human being cannot have the same love and respect for animals. This story is funny yet sad, heart-warming yet heart-breaking, filled with love yet filled with cruelty. If you aren’t crying as you read the Epilogue, you should see a doctor; they have medications now to help with whatever your problem may be. I have to confess this book brought tears to my eyes several times, as I reflected on the various dogs that have blessed my life and the awful times I’ve had to have one put down. In spite of my tears, I am so glad I read this story. It was uplifting, overall. Dogs truly do love unconditionally, and it has been my great pleasure to have known the love of dogs throughout most of my life.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

"Animal Portraits with the Digital Photography of John Crippen" is a guide for photographers who have made, or are considering making, the transition from a point and shoot or a "prosumer" DSLR camera to a full-fledged DSLR. The first part of the book is a tutorial with demonstrations showing how shutter speed, focal length and environmental conditions can make photography challenging, and the solutions that can be used. He gives examples of pictures taken in zoos and in the wild, and shows how the background of each picture can enhance the mood of the presentation. Author and photographer John Crippen also discusses the types of equipment you'll need to bring along for a day's shooting. Each picture contains data including the type of camera, lens, f-stop, ISO and the time of exposure. He suggests that new DSLR enthusiasts can learn through exploring what experienced photographers have achieved and gives the reader basic instructions and guidelines. He also includes pictures taken with various point and shoot cameras while noting that great shots are sometimes just a moment or two's opportunity.

I will be purchasing a new DSLR in the near future and am also a wildlife photographer. This book is both impressive and enlightening. There are portraits of lions and elephants, seals and sea lions, and an amazing selection of wild bird photos, all beautifully composed and filled with life. Crippen's details and instructions are precise and to the point, and his pictures illustrate the lessons given. This is a remarkable collection of photographs as well as a well-thought-out introduction to the art of animal photography using a DSLR camera.

Reviewed by Lee Ashford for Readers' Favorite

“Always a Next One” by John L. Leonard is a pleasant, enjoyable read with a powerful message. The author and his wife volunteered countless hours of their lives to assist their local no-kill Humane Society with the rehabilitation, care and nurture of unwanted dogs and cats. They accomplished this by establishing themselves as a foster home, primarily for dogs, to house companion animals in excess of the Humane Society’s capacity, as well as injured or otherwise less-adoptable animals. In this book of tales (pun intended), he relates the experiences his family had with the more than 100 animals they housed over the years they volunteered. These tales will entertain and delight you, and tug at your heart strings. The book is full of chuckles, and may even prompt you to volunteer some time at your local Humane Society.

“Always a Next One” is short, and can be read in a few hours. I have always been a “dog person” and knew I would enjoy the book, but it still surprised me how much I enjoyed it. The author wrote in a conversational manner, as if he were sitting with me and personally telling me his tales. I recommend this book with a sense of urgency; there are far too many unwanted pets euthanized each year, and there are only 3 basic solutions to the problem, any of which you can help with: 1) build more shelters, 2) get more volunteers to open their homes, and 3) spay and neuter your pets! I encourage you to read this fun book. I also encourage you to spay and neuter your pets.

Reviewed by Joy Hannabass for Readers' Favorite

In her book “Messages from Nature,” Patricia Daly-Lipe gives her readers a collection of interesting short stories about many areas of the journey of life. She also includes a really nice tale written by her late father, which to me was a great honor to read. In this book, you will find stories about animals and the lessons we learn from them as their tale unfolds; about Adventures in the world of waters wild; ahe evolutionary journey with man and nature; and the last section is 'Poetic Meditations' the author has given her readers. I especially enjoyed the first section of this book with the animal stories. I was saddened by the story of Shawnara, the adorable mare that didn’t live, but what a precious animal to love! And my favorite was Woodstock, a small furry pup found on a farm in Virginia and which would have been killed had it not been for his rescue. Woodstock found his calling at being a sailor and loved the sea and sailing.

This is just a taste of what you will read in this wonderful book by Patricia Daly-Lipe. Patricia has a wonderful way with story-telling that will draw you into the stories in a special way. You can almost feel being right there in the story with her characters. This is a wonderful fun, interesting and a really good book to read and enjoy. And if you are not a person to read long stories, well this is the book for you. The stories are short, easily read in one setting, and when you have time for another read, another great story will be waiting for you. Why not grab a copy of “Messages From Nature” to read and enjoy for yourself?

Reviewed by Brenda Casto for Readers' Favorite

"Maria's Duck Tales" is a wonderful glimpse into the lives of the wildlife that ventured into the author's life. Each chapter is a different story about an animal that was fortunate enough to encounter Maria. Each chapter is a quick easy read that is like a breath of fresh air on a rainy day. When I first picked up the book to read I imagined that I would just be reading the observations of the wildlife that the author encountered. Instead she often goes hands-on with her wildlife friends, giving me an up close glimpse of her interactions with them. Her interactions often save the lives of the animals she encounters. While there are stories of ducks, the author also includes stories about squirrels, opossums, swans and even mentions her beloved collie a few times. I enjoyed reading how the animals would become a real part of her family. She always gave them names which made them so relatable.

As an avid fan of nature I loved this book. The author gives a true glimpse of the wildlife she encounters, but, more than that, as I read each chapter I also learned a bit about the habits of each animal - from the way they care for their babies to the foods they like to eat. The illustrations, peppered through the pages of this book, really stand out and also allow the reader a glimpse of the animal she is describing. I think any observer of nature will certainly enjoy reading this book, but I would recommend it to those who never have the opportunity to connect with nature because the author has the wonderful ability to make you feel like you are right there with her, watching the antics of the wildlife she encounters. This book is certainly a keeper for me. I plan on rereading the stories often. On a scale of one to five I would easily give this book a six because it's just that good!

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Charm: An Amazing Story of a Little Black Cat is a memoir and tribute to a special cat written and illustrated by Leyla Atke. When she first saw Charm, he was huddled in the middle of heavy traffic. During a brief lull in the traffic, Atke rescued the dirty little kitten and carried him to a safe place. Then she realized he would probably wander off into traffic again and took him home. She bathed him and found, after all the dirt had washed away, that he was a lovely, blue-eyed kitten with sleek, black fur, who grew up into a magnificent black cat.

Leyla Atke's Charm: An Amazing Story of a Little Black Cat is a lovely and evocative tribute to a beloved pet. The story is beautifully told, and the illustrations are masterful; sometimes primitive, sometimes very reminiscent of folk art, but always very powerful. Memoirs of this type can be overblown and excessively sentimental; however, Atke's narrative remains clear and calm, and engaged this reader from the first lines to the concluding words. Atke shows her gift of being first and foremost a storyteller. Her words and art are simple yet imbued with love and expression. This is a special book, and one I would not hesitate to recommend to those who are privileged to share their lives with animal companions as well as those who haven't been...yet. It's really quite a remarkable work and a story I won't be forgetting any time soon.