Title: Animals You’ll Learn To Love
Author: Benessa L. Harrison
Illustrator: Dindo Contento
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 978-1-7960-1208-8
Genre: Illustrated Children’s Book
Pages: 34
Reviewed by: Beth Adams

Read Book Review

Animals You’ll Learn To Love by author Benessa L. Harrison is a delightful children’s book which is divided into three segments.

In the first part, a little girl Lynn was walking home from school when she harks an “Arf, Arf” (barking) of a little puppy from behind a tree.  Lynn puts the puppy in her backpack and brings him home.  Once at home, she names the puppy Bully, however she is very concerned if she will be allowed to keep the puppy.  Lynn’s parents see how much their daughter loves the puppy, and decide to allow her to keep the puppy.  However, their approval comes with two caveats:  Lynn must be responsible to care for the pet; and puppies grow up to be big dogs.  That’s all fine with Lynn and their life is happily-ever-after.

The second part is titled, “Thumbelina the Cat.”  This short segment shows how Naomi and Thumbelina have a loving relationship and how kind they are to each other.  Simple pleasures of feeding Thumbelina cat-food and water bring a bonding situation to both the cat and person.  Sometimes it is the trust and love which makes for a happy animal – and a happy pet owner!

The third segment is my favorite and is titled, “Thumbelina Dreams of Going Outside.”  Just what goes through a cat’s mind as it sits by a window, looking out at all which is going on in the outside world?  In this section the artistry of Dindo Contento is showcased with the fanciful and imaginative illustrations.  If you keep a close eye on Thumbelina, maybe someday she will show you what she’s thinking.

Each of these sections are perfect short stories for youngsters to be read over and over, and if at bedtime will put the children in a happy dog & cat world, allowing them to live vicariously through the minds of pets.  As is pointed out, Bully and Thumbelina are real pets – so you can say this is based on a true story!