Praise For
Molly Mcpherson 1st lady
"Molly McPherson: 1st Lady is an enjoyable story about a remarkable dog.
Janice McAlpine’s Molly McPherson: 1st Lady is a cute story about a very special dog.Molly is a happy, friendly young dog who loves to play with her people, the McPhersons. When Mr. McPherson is worried about a friend from work who has gone missing, Molly knows that she has to help make things right for her people. Molly, with the help of her best friends Beau and Mitzi, sets off to find the missing man. Their journey is scary, but they never falter, despite their own uncertainties. Molly and her dog friends are lively and relatable, with personalities that will be familiar to anyone who has ever loved a dog. The illustrations that accompany the book are simple, done in what appears to be colored pencil or crayon, with a childlike quality that young children will appreciate. Despite their lack of polish and precision, these images are successful in capturing the loving, playful personality of the dogs. The book is quite short, with a significant amount of text on each page. The thoughts of Molly and her friends are separated from the rest of the text, either with large bold print or with sentences set at an angle to the rest of the text. This may help early readers distinguish between the narrative voice and the characters’ voices. The method is also visually interesting. Though the story itself is sweet and innocent, the way that Beau and Mitzi handle their fears—Beau hides his; Mitzi is told to be quiet about hers and support her friend—may result in an unintended and concerning message. Parents may find this a good space to talk to children about the importance of trusting their feelings in potentially dangerous situations, too. Molly McPherson: 1st Lady is an enjoyable book. Molly is clearly a remarkable dog and is understandably the “first lady” in the hearts of her people. She will be loved by young children reading about her adventure as well."
- Foreword Clarion Reviews
"If you are looking for a great children's book (ages 4-8), look no farther.
Molly is a loving and caring dog who sets out on her first adventure with her friends. This is also a great book about meeting her first family, her first friends, and enjoying her surroundings. Can't wait for the next adventure with "Molly McPherson"."
- Lisa Joy Anderson, Amazon Review
Praise For
Molly Goes Camping
Molly Goes Camping is a sweet and entertaining tale for young readers about a rambunctious, fun-loving, inquisitive dog.
Janice McAlpine's delightful picture book Molly Goes Camping follows a family on an outing with their adventurous canine. Mr. and Mrs. McPherson, off camping in their blue minivan, have their lovable dog, Molly, in tow. She's settled in her traveling crate with the comfort of her red plaid blanket. Adventures await at the Grand National Park destination, where a park ranger advises that Molly be kept on a leash so that she doesn't wander or bother other campers. Molly easily makes friends with two springer spaniels at the lake, but an unexpected encounter in the woods cuts the trip short, and the McPhersons and Molly are forced to head back home.
The book is divided into two action-filled chapters and includes a substantial amount of text. With a nicely balanced mix of narrative and dialogue, it seems well suited to a parent-child share or for an advanced young reader. Molly's thoughts are showcased in bold, stylized print, or capitalized as a complementary standout element - an emphatic way to distinguish the narrative and other characters' voices from the voice of the furry star.
Cheerful illustrations are rendered in brightly colored crayon or are pastel drawings highlighted with distinctive black outlines. From details like Molly's soulful eyes to fun, frolicking scenes at the campsite, they are a charming representation of the happenings described in the text. A bold license plate message appears at the book's end and is a particularly creative touch.
There is a real life lesson here about the importance of leashing your pet, and evidence of the potential dangers that can occur even with the best intentions. Molly's antics demonstrate the caring bonds of friendship as she helps coax a scared dog into the water for shared fun.
Molly Goes Camping is a sweet and entertaining tale for young readers about a rambunctious, fun-loving, inquisitive dog who is truly part of the family.
- Foreword Clarion Reviews
Janice McAlpine's delightful picture book Molly Goes Camping follows a family on an outing with their adventurous canine. Mr. and Mrs. McPherson, off camping in their blue minivan, have their lovable dog, Molly, in tow. She's settled in her traveling crate with the comfort of her red plaid blanket. Adventures await at the Grand National Park destination, where a park ranger advises that Molly be kept on a leash so that she doesn't wander or bother other campers. Molly easily makes friends with two springer spaniels at the lake, but an unexpected encounter in the woods cuts the trip short, and the McPhersons and Molly are forced to head back home.
The book is divided into two action-filled chapters and includes a substantial amount of text. With a nicely balanced mix of narrative and dialogue, it seems well suited to a parent-child share or for an advanced young reader. Molly's thoughts are showcased in bold, stylized print, or capitalized as a complementary standout element - an emphatic way to distinguish the narrative and other characters' voices from the voice of the furry star.
Cheerful illustrations are rendered in brightly colored crayon or are pastel drawings highlighted with distinctive black outlines. From details like Molly's soulful eyes to fun, frolicking scenes at the campsite, they are a charming representation of the happenings described in the text. A bold license plate message appears at the book's end and is a particularly creative touch.
There is a real life lesson here about the importance of leashing your pet, and evidence of the potential dangers that can occur even with the best intentions. Molly's antics demonstrate the caring bonds of friendship as she helps coax a scared dog into the water for shared fun.
Molly Goes Camping is a sweet and entertaining tale for young readers about a rambunctious, fun-loving, inquisitive dog who is truly part of the family.
- Foreword Clarion Reviews
Praise For
DOGSLED MOLLY
Dogsled Molly is a fun picture book introduction to the exciting world of dogsled racing, modeling care and compassion toward animals.
In Janice McAlpine’s exciting picture book, Dogsled Molly, an energetic young dog becomes part of a life-saving, trophy-winning team of sled dogs.
Mr. McPherson’s two-year-old dog Molly is full of energy—a real handful. Mr. McPherson has the idea to make Molly a sled dog. At first, Molly is nervous about meeting other dogs, wearing a special harness and booties, and learning to pull a sled, but she comes to love running fast through the snow with the sled following behind.
Molly does such a good job that she gets a chance to be part of Mr. Swenson’s team and compete in a five-mile race. The team is doing well on varied, often rough terrain until an accident happens. The dogs surround Mr. Swenson to protect him until help arrives. Molly’s first race teaches her a lot about being part of a team.
Introducing easy-to-understand and interesting facts about the care and training of sled dogs, the text is written with energy and enthusiasm, communicates love for canines, and is sensitive in its portrayal of the relationship between dogs and their humans. The narrative is insightful about Molly’s apprehensions and insecurities and shows the respect and patience with which her owner treats her.
The sled dogs are portrayed as joyful as they await the race, and determined as they give their all in it. Descriptions of the races are vibrant: “The dogs barked and danced about as they eagerly waited for the shot that would send them all into a frenzy of yelping, triggering the spurt of energy they needed to get going.”
Conversations and descriptions of the animals’ behaviors contribute to the story’s enthusiasm. The communication between the dogs is expressed through looks and feelings, inner thoughts, and spoken words; that it’s short and straightforward makes it believable. Their viewpoints are deep and rich. Some sentences run long, but their language is accessible. Changes in font are distracting and inconsistent.
Bright illustrations enhance the text, capturing the dogs’ enthusiasm, the affection between the humans and dogs, and the friendship between Mr. McPherson and Mr. Swenson. The human and animal eyes are not realistic, though; they convey too much stress. The color selected for the humans’ open mouths gives the impression that their tongues are protruding.
Dogsled Molly is a fun picture book introduction to the exciting world of dogsled racing, modeling care and compassion toward animals.
- Foreword Clarion Reviews
In Janice McAlpine’s exciting picture book, Dogsled Molly, an energetic young dog becomes part of a life-saving, trophy-winning team of sled dogs.
Mr. McPherson’s two-year-old dog Molly is full of energy—a real handful. Mr. McPherson has the idea to make Molly a sled dog. At first, Molly is nervous about meeting other dogs, wearing a special harness and booties, and learning to pull a sled, but she comes to love running fast through the snow with the sled following behind.
Molly does such a good job that she gets a chance to be part of Mr. Swenson’s team and compete in a five-mile race. The team is doing well on varied, often rough terrain until an accident happens. The dogs surround Mr. Swenson to protect him until help arrives. Molly’s first race teaches her a lot about being part of a team.
Introducing easy-to-understand and interesting facts about the care and training of sled dogs, the text is written with energy and enthusiasm, communicates love for canines, and is sensitive in its portrayal of the relationship between dogs and their humans. The narrative is insightful about Molly’s apprehensions and insecurities and shows the respect and patience with which her owner treats her.
The sled dogs are portrayed as joyful as they await the race, and determined as they give their all in it. Descriptions of the races are vibrant: “The dogs barked and danced about as they eagerly waited for the shot that would send them all into a frenzy of yelping, triggering the spurt of energy they needed to get going.”
Conversations and descriptions of the animals’ behaviors contribute to the story’s enthusiasm. The communication between the dogs is expressed through looks and feelings, inner thoughts, and spoken words; that it’s short and straightforward makes it believable. Their viewpoints are deep and rich. Some sentences run long, but their language is accessible. Changes in font are distracting and inconsistent.
Bright illustrations enhance the text, capturing the dogs’ enthusiasm, the affection between the humans and dogs, and the friendship between Mr. McPherson and Mr. Swenson. The human and animal eyes are not realistic, though; they convey too much stress. The color selected for the humans’ open mouths gives the impression that their tongues are protruding.
Dogsled Molly is a fun picture book introduction to the exciting world of dogsled racing, modeling care and compassion toward animals.
- Foreword Clarion Reviews
Praise For
Molly & Winston
"In the gentle chapter book Molly & Winston, two dogs living in the same house become friends and part of the same forever family...
Each chapter introduces a new vignette and a new opportunity to learn about dog ownership, with topics including fostering, prosthetics for dogs,
therapy dogs, and the adoption process..."
- Foreword Clarion Reviews
What a joy to follow Molly along this journey as she meets Winston and learns and teaches life lessons. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and its whimsical illustrations. - Barb Berg, Big Lake, MN, USA
I received your 4th book and I think it's the best one yet...being able to show the comparison between a dog and person who needs a prothesis to enable
them to walk. - Paula Roberto-Potter, Welland, ON, Canada
Each chapter introduces a new vignette and a new opportunity to learn about dog ownership, with topics including fostering, prosthetics for dogs,
therapy dogs, and the adoption process..."
- Foreword Clarion Reviews
What a joy to follow Molly along this journey as she meets Winston and learns and teaches life lessons. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and its whimsical illustrations. - Barb Berg, Big Lake, MN, USA
I received your 4th book and I think it's the best one yet...being able to show the comparison between a dog and person who needs a prothesis to enable
them to walk. - Paula Roberto-Potter, Welland, ON, Canada