{"id":2326,"date":"2025-07-07T01:20:06","date_gmt":"2025-07-07T08:20:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/?p=2326"},"modified":"2025-10-03T12:36:26","modified_gmt":"2025-10-03T19:36:26","slug":"a-puppys-tale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/2025\/a-puppys-tale\/","title":{"rendered":"A Puppy\u2019s Tale * A Heartfelt And Adorable Story With Perfectly Aligned Illustrations"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-2334\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/A-Puppys-Tale_cover-300x232.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"125\" height=\"97\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/A-Puppys-Tale_cover-300x232.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/A-Puppys-Tale_cover.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 125px) 100vw, 125px\" \/>A Puppy\u2019s Tale<\/em> is a heartwarming picture book about the bond between a boy and his puppy as they grow up together. Their playful journey explores friendship, love, and the lifelong imprint a beloved pet can leave \u2014 even after they part.<\/p>\n<p>KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Alma K. comments, \u201c<em>A Puppy&#8217;s Tale<\/em> is filled with joy, sadness and hope. The illustrations, by Elena Ciolacu, are absolutely beautiful. They&#8217;re very detailed and, as the book develops, you really see both the dog and the boy get older gradually.\u201d Sofia T. adds, \u201cThe book, <em>A Puppy\u2019s Tale, <\/em>is a heartfelt and adorable story with perfectly aligned illustrations. This book&#8217;s plot is simple and sweet. It satisfies the need for a thought provoking storyline whilst being a children&#8217;s picture book.\u201d Eli C. wraps it up with, \u201cI took away two messages from this story. First, life is better with friends. Second, if someone you love passes away they will always be with you.\u201d See their full reviews below.<\/p>\n<p>A Puppy\u2019s Tale<br \/>\nBy Sofia T., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Sofia T. Reviews: A Puppy&#039;s Tale - A Heartwarming Journey\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xF_qbxxRSEU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-2331 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/puppy.3-300x240.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"161\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/puppy.3-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/puppy.3.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 201px) 100vw, 201px\" \/>The book, <em>A Puppy\u2019s Tale, <\/em>is a heartfelt and adorable story with perfectly aligned illustrations.<\/p>\n<p>The storyline follows the lifelong friendship of a boy named Evan and a dog named Achilles. Both feel like they don\u2019t fit in, but once they meet they continue to grow together as best of friends until it\u2019s time to say goodbye.<\/p>\n<p>This book&#8217;s plot is simple and sweet. It satisfies the need for a thought provoking storyline whilst being a children&#8217;s picture book. It caused laughter that made my throat ache and tears that hurt my heart.<\/p>\n<p>The pictures that accompany the story are perfect.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-2330\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/puppy.4-300x240.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"203\" height=\"162\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/puppy.4-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/puppy.4.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 203px) 100vw, 203px\" \/>They are gorgeous and immediately appeal to the eye. My favorite detail about this book is the little ways the illustrations portray Achilles and Evan growing up so they get older and older with every page. The character Evan is lovable and relatable as we see his struggles trying to fit in with his peers. Achilles seems to be the pup everyone needs in their life. At one point the book reads \u201cAfter ruff days at school, my favorite thing is being your comfort.\u201d This line shows the impact Achilles has on Evan\u2019s life and includes an adorable and fitting pun. Although the ending is sad, it truly made me feel all the emotion and love written onto the pages.<\/p>\n<p>The book\u2019s message is that all love comes with loss.<\/p>\n<p>I give <em>A Puppy\u2019s Tale <\/em>5 out 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 8. It is available now at online book retailers.<\/p>\n<p>A Puppy&#8217;s Tale<br \/>\nBy Eli C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Eli C. Shares His Take on A Puppy&#039;s Tale\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jNo9DMFUFOA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><em><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-2329 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/puppy.5-300x240.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"199\" height=\"159\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/puppy.5-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/puppy.5.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 199px) 100vw, 199px\" \/>Puppy\u2019s Tale<\/em> is heartfelt, has a sweet story line, and takes you through a wave of emotions. I think others would like it because it makes you feel warm inside. I think dog owners would connect to it. I also feel that readers will enjoy the lessons of loyalty and friendship.<\/p>\n<p>This book is about a boy and his dog that grow up together and mature with each other. Both of them are always glad to see each other. In the end they still love one another.<\/p>\n<p>The story flows very well, and makes perfect sense. It&#8217;s wonderfully organized, and the character development is great.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-2332\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/puppy.2-300x240.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"160\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/puppy.2-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/puppy.2.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/>As a dog lover I can relate to the characters. It is correct on what dogs like and don&#8217;t like. The vocabulary and concepts are perfect for its intended audience. They do introduce the topic of a dog dying, which may be sensitive to younger viewers. The cover is colorful and appealing. This story is genuinely entertaining and absolutely suitable for kids, whether they are dog lovers or not.<\/p>\n<p>I took away two messages from this story. First, life is better with friends. Second, if someone you love passes away they will always be with you.<\/p>\n<p>I give <em>A Puppy\u2019s Tale<\/em> 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 8. It is available at online retailers now.<\/p>\n<p>A Puppy&#8217;s Tale<br \/>\nBy Alma K., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15<\/p>\n<p><em><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2333 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/puppy.1-300x240.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"161\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/puppy.1-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/puppy.1.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 201px) 100vw, 201px\" \/>A Puppy&#8217;s Tale<\/em> is filled with joy, sadness and hope. The illustrations, by Elena Ciolacu, are absolutely beautiful. They&#8217;re very detailed and, as the book develops, you really see both the dog and the boy get older gradually. The story is relatable.<\/p>\n<p>The book explores the relationship between a boy named Evan and his dog Achilles as they grow up together. It lists all of their favorite and not-so-favorite things. Every page features a different thing. Playing hide and seek is Achilles&#8217;s favorite thing \u2013 he loves finding Evan. What is his least favorite thing? The vacuum cleaner. The two of them grow up together and the book details their unbreakable bond all the way up to when Achilles has to be put to sleep.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-2335\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/puppy.7-300x120.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"245\" height=\"98\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/puppy.7-300x120.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/puppy.7-768x307.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/puppy.7.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 245px) 100vw, 245px\" \/>It&#8217;s about a dog named Achilles and his owner, a boy named Evan, who are best friends and they do everything together. Every page is about something they do together \u2013 baking with mom on Saturday mornings, soccer, movie nights, trick-or-treating, catch, and so on. The one fault for me is that the beginning feels very rushed \u2013 the first page says: &#8220;the dog is lonely, the boy is lonely&#8221; and then the next page has them both waking up, determined to find a friend today and then, bam, they&#8217;re automatic besties. It happened so fast I got whiplash. I really love how descriptive the book is.\u00a0 Achilles tells us he doesn&#8217;t like going to the doggy doctor and then he explains why.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-2328 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/puppy.6-300x240.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"160\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/puppy.6-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/puppy.6.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/>He loves watching Evan play soccer but doesn&#8217;t like it when he accidentally deflates the ball because then he doesn&#8217;t get a treat. There are some vocabulary words that might be challenging for kids \u2013 switching the word &#8216;rough&#8217; with &#8216;ruff&#8217;, for example, is not a joke that everyone will get. The last few pages are about Achilles getting older and losing the ability to do all kinds of things and how Evan, now an adult, takes Achilles to the doctor where he has to be put to sleep. The book ends with Evan at Achilles&#8217;s grave and Achilles tells him saying that loss is a part of life and that he&#8217;s waiting for them to meet again. He says he&#8217;ll always be with Evan and that, though it hurts now, with time his heart will heal and that he can&#8217;t wait to meet again.<\/p>\n<p>The book\u2019s message is that our loved ones never really leave us. Note that there is some unsafe behavior that kids might replicate. We see Evan on a skateboard and Achilles pulling him, which looks really fun, but this is also quite dangerous. The book shows also as, on the next page we see Evan all banged up with lots of cuts and bruises.<\/p>\n<p>I give <em>A Puppy\u2019s Tale<\/em> 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults. It is available now at online book retailers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Puppy\u2019s Tale is a heartwarming picture book about the bond between a boy and his puppy as they grow up together. Their playful journey explores friendship, love, and the lifelong imprint a beloved pet can leave \u2014 even after they part.<\/p>\n<p>KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Alma K. comments, \u201cA Puppy&#8217;s Tale is filled with joy, sadness and hope. The illustrations, by Elena Ciolacu, are absolutely beautiful. They&#8217;re very detailed and, as the book develops, you really see both the dog and the boy get older gradually.\u201d Sofia T. adds, \u201cThe book, A Puppy\u2019s Tale, is a heartfelt and adorable story with perfectly aligned illustrations. This book&#8217;s plot is simple and sweet. It satisfies the need for a thought provoking storyline whilst being a children&#8217;s picture book. It caused laughter that made my throat ache and tears that hurt my heart.\u201d Eli C. wraps it up with, \u201cI took away two messages from this story. First, life is better with friends. Second, if someone you love passes away they will always be with you.\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[4],"tags":[372,2549,2640,405,2619,450,1551,1815,2548,2618,2639],"class_list":["post-2326","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-film-critics-blog","tag-adventure","tag-companionship","tag-death","tag-dogs","tag-elena-ciolacu","tag-family","tag-friendship","tag-love","tag-loyalty","tag-mans-best-friend","tag-rainbow-bridge"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2326","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2326"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2326\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2375,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2326\/revisions\/2375"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2326"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2326"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2326"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}