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Smile, Chewie!
Meet Chewie and his million-dollar smile!
Despite Chewie’s friendly personality, he’s too shy to let the shelter volunteers take his picture!
See, Chewie is stuck with scars on his face after the abuse he suffered as a puppy, from a man who was prejudiced against pit bulls.
Can Chewie find the confidence to stand up to these awful pit bull stereotypes, and smile for the camera?
The Furever Home Friends is a series of kids’ books about shelter dogs and their journeys to adoption.
Our goal is to raise awareness about the importance of adopting animals from shelters, and to share the stories of real animals who have gone through the shelter system. We also aim to teach children about a variety of social issues, including adoption, animal abuse, body image, disabilities, racism, sexism, and much more.
Despite Chewie’s friendly personality, he’s too shy to let the shelter volunteers take his picture!
See, Chewie is stuck with scars on his face after the abuse he suffered as a puppy, from a man who was prejudiced against pit bulls.
Can Chewie find the confidence to stand up to these awful pit bull stereotypes, and smile for the camera?
The Furever Home Friends is a series of kids’ books about shelter dogs and their journeys to adoption.
Our goal is to raise awareness about the importance of adopting animals from shelters, and to share the stories of real animals who have gone through the shelter system. We also aim to teach children about a variety of social issues, including adoption, animal abuse, body image, disabilities, racism, sexism, and much more.
36 pages, Paperback
Published August 11, 2017
16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 11, 2017
First off the story of Smile, Chewie was absolutely adorable. But, it was also full of lessons for children and, in my opinion, for all of us. I loved the forward at the beginning mentioning what a forever home is and how unfortunately many dogs struggle to find their forever home. Then at the end of the story she wrote some really great discussion questions for parents, kids and dogs! The questions range from thoughts about shelter dogs to thoughts about feeling self conscious, being confident. How to help the homeless (whether people or dogs, depending on how you want to discuss it), and how to help shelter dogs. Wonderful questions to help your child to think about and open up and say what they feel. Just brilliant!!
I also have to give enormous credit to Christy Schneyman for the wonderful illustrations, they are so well done and perfect for catching a child's eye!!
I am so impressed with this book, and think that Savy Leiser did such an amazing job putting it together!! I highly recommend it! I will be purchasing a copy for my cousin's little girl, I know she will just love it!!
*I would like to thank the author for a copy of this book, which I'm giving my honest review on*
I also have to give enormous credit to Christy Schneyman for the wonderful illustrations, they are so well done and perfect for catching a child's eye!!
I am so impressed with this book, and think that Savy Leiser did such an amazing job putting it together!! I highly recommend it! I will be purchasing a copy for my cousin's little girl, I know she will just love it!!
*I would like to thank the author for a copy of this book, which I'm giving my honest review on*
April 25, 2021
Such a cute and sweet book! The writing is well done and age appropriate (I would probably recommend it to age 3-7), and the illustrations are beautifully made and a unique style. At the end of the book, there are discussion questions as well as a glimpse into the real life Chewie's story. As a teacher, I appreciate this (I don't have kids of my own, but definitely see the benefits of having talks about confidence, anxiety, and homelessness/stray animals with kids). Highly recommend! I also got a Chewie plushie off the Furever Home Friends website and it's so soft and squishy I love it!
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August 11, 2017When I’m not writing or reading, I am a nanny. So I read children’s books day in and day out. They have a special place in my heart and I’m finding myself in the children’s book section far more these days than I care to admit. So when Savy introduced her children’s book series to me, I knew I had to read them! And buy them for all the children I know!
Chewie’s story is massively important. There are many stereotypes about how pit bulls can be awful and even some cities have banned owning pit bulls. As someone who has been around numerous pit bulls, I would like to shed light on how terrible this ruling is as much as I can.
Pit bulls aren’t dangerous animals, it’s the owners that make them dangerous. Every dog should have an equal opportunity and instead of discriminating against them, we should be looking at the previous owner who most likely taught the dog to be aggressive.
Chewie is a pit bull who lacks confidence because of these stereotypes and his past. He was abused (he was shot in the face with a BB gun) and now has scars on his face. While the BB gun isn’t mentioned in the children’s book, the scars are and how they affect Chewie’s self-confidence.
I gave this book a higher rating than Princess Allee more so for the story behind it, but also, I love the illustrations so much in Smile, Chewie. We follow Chewie through remembering his past to seeing people come into the shelters looking to adopt, but never choosing him because he’s a pit bull, until one day he is rescued. His owner helps him work through his confidence issues by showering him with love and affection.
At the end of this book, there are questions as well. These questions touch upon a child’s self confidence and what stereotypes are and if they’ve heard of the word before. Equally as important questions to start the conversations with your child, and at a young age. Especially when speaking about confidence and self-confidence in the world we live in today.
The real Chewie is also introduced at the end of the book with his real story.
If you have children and are a dog lover, I highly suggest this book!
Chewie’s story is massively important. There are many stereotypes about how pit bulls can be awful and even some cities have banned owning pit bulls. As someone who has been around numerous pit bulls, I would like to shed light on how terrible this ruling is as much as I can.
Pit bulls aren’t dangerous animals, it’s the owners that make them dangerous. Every dog should have an equal opportunity and instead of discriminating against them, we should be looking at the previous owner who most likely taught the dog to be aggressive.
Chewie is a pit bull who lacks confidence because of these stereotypes and his past. He was abused (he was shot in the face with a BB gun) and now has scars on his face. While the BB gun isn’t mentioned in the children’s book, the scars are and how they affect Chewie’s self-confidence.
I gave this book a higher rating than Princess Allee more so for the story behind it, but also, I love the illustrations so much in Smile, Chewie. We follow Chewie through remembering his past to seeing people come into the shelters looking to adopt, but never choosing him because he’s a pit bull, until one day he is rescued. His owner helps him work through his confidence issues by showering him with love and affection.
At the end of this book, there are questions as well. These questions touch upon a child’s self confidence and what stereotypes are and if they’ve heard of the word before. Equally as important questions to start the conversations with your child, and at a young age. Especially when speaking about confidence and self-confidence in the world we live in today.
The real Chewie is also introduced at the end of the book with his real story.
If you have children and are a dog lover, I highly suggest this book!
October 23, 2017
Chewie is a pit bull, who has had a tough life. In the pound, he waits for someone to adopt him but is afraid of the attention most animals get. He doesn't find himself cute or worth taking a picture of. When he finally takes the chance and tries to show the world how cute he is, the result is heart-warming.
Unlike the first book in the series, Chewie's tale hits more upon the rough life that some dogs have faced before they end up in a pound. He's unsure and there are reasons for that. Although never graphic, the troubles come across clearly and will have young readers concerned and touched by Chewie's past. The stereotype against pit bulls is also pulled to light. But this isn't a story meant to leave the reader sad, and it pulls around with a very happy ending and a sense of warmth.
The illustrations are well done and accompany the tale nicely. Chewie's earlier life is presented in dark tones, which makes the tone clear. The brightness of the last pages adds a sharp contrast and does a great job displaying the fun and joy.
Summed up, this book is more serious than the first in the series and packs more direct messages. Young readers will enjoy Chewie's tale and learn something in the process.
I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed it enough to want to leave my honest thoughts.
Unlike the first book in the series, Chewie's tale hits more upon the rough life that some dogs have faced before they end up in a pound. He's unsure and there are reasons for that. Although never graphic, the troubles come across clearly and will have young readers concerned and touched by Chewie's past. The stereotype against pit bulls is also pulled to light. But this isn't a story meant to leave the reader sad, and it pulls around with a very happy ending and a sense of warmth.
The illustrations are well done and accompany the tale nicely. Chewie's earlier life is presented in dark tones, which makes the tone clear. The brightness of the last pages adds a sharp contrast and does a great job displaying the fun and joy.
Summed up, this book is more serious than the first in the series and packs more direct messages. Young readers will enjoy Chewie's tale and learn something in the process.
I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed it enough to want to leave my honest thoughts.
May 18, 2018
Smile, Chewie! is the second installment in the Furever Home Friends series written by Savy Leiser. Chewie is having a difficult time adjusting to life in the shelter. He had gotten used to living as a stray. Except when he was injured after begging for food from the wrong human.
Now Chewie bares the scars from that horrible night. He shies away from potential adopters. Chewie knows that no one will want to adopt a pit bull. Will he ever be able to find a forever home?
I really enjoyed this book. Being the owner of five rescue dogs and three cats, this story really tugs at my heartstrings. I love how Leiser tackles the controversial issue of pit bulls and the stigma that surrounds them. I think that children will have a better understanding of the breed after reading Chewie's story.
Christy Schneyman's illustrations are adorable and heartwarming. The images have a hand-drawn feel and her use of light and pastel colors is truly stunning.
This is a wonderful story for dog lovers of all ages and would make a great gift for those working in animal rescue.
Now Chewie bares the scars from that horrible night. He shies away from potential adopters. Chewie knows that no one will want to adopt a pit bull. Will he ever be able to find a forever home?
I really enjoyed this book. Being the owner of five rescue dogs and three cats, this story really tugs at my heartstrings. I love how Leiser tackles the controversial issue of pit bulls and the stigma that surrounds them. I think that children will have a better understanding of the breed after reading Chewie's story.
Christy Schneyman's illustrations are adorable and heartwarming. The images have a hand-drawn feel and her use of light and pastel colors is truly stunning.
This is a wonderful story for dog lovers of all ages and would make a great gift for those working in animal rescue.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews