Reviews

AWARDS:

Winner of the International Rubery Book Award 2023 (Children's category)

https://www.ruberybookaward.com/2023-winners.html

"This is a delightful picture book about a sausage dog who can’t find anyone who will come to his party.  The other dogs laugh at his strange shape when they are invited, so he goes home alone.  But on the way, he meets various characters who need help and he offers them all a ride on his long back.  When he arrives home, they have a wonderful party together.  There are many pleasing little touches which add to the magic of the book:  the illustrations are clear and immediately appealing; the text is short and skillfully simple, well-suited to young children;  the pictures stretch from one page to the next, sometimes even requiring a page turn;  a little yellow dog appears regularly as an observer, without ever taking part in the story.  And the overall message about true friendship is a sweet one.​"

National Indie Excellence Awards Finalist 2023 Picture Book Preschool

https://www.indieexcellence.com/17th-annual-finalists

Purple Dragonfly Books Awards 2023 Honorable Mention

FROM READERS & REVIEWERS:

"We LOVE this book. It's beautifully written and illustrated. This sends the perfect message I'm trying my best to teach my son." -- Mom of a three-year-old boy

"Valenza’s Little Lovedog teaches the very young reader (and adults, too) who experience hardship how to triumph in difficult times. The illustrations show colorful, adorable animals. Little Lovedog wears a purple collar with a lovely red heart-shaped locket, a reminder that, as the author says in her dedication, if you’re kind, 'You make the world a brighter place.'"
--School Librarian

"This story is so sweet. Love dog gets made fun of for his long back and wonders how he will have any friends for his bday party. On his walk home, he meets many animals who are in need. He helps each one and then they hop on his back to walk to a bday feast. There are beautiful lessons that love is helping those in need. Also, what seems like our greatest weakness may turn out to be our greatest strength. And be a friend to make a friend."--Amy, PB Reviews (Instagram: @pb_reviews_amyrohbaugh)

"We read [our baby] the Little Lovedog book and he paid attention the entire time. That's a good children's book, to keep the attention of a 6-month old baby!" -- New Mom

"We loved it!" -- Mom of three-year-old girl

"I loved her sweet book about a little dachshund who’s having a party that no one wants to come to, or so it seems. Delightfully written and illustrated by Barbara, it warmed my heart with messages of hope and kindness. My kind of book for sure!"--Laura Sassi, Laura Sassi Tales (https://laurasassitales.wordpress.com/2023/01/05/little-lovedogs-long-walk-home-an-interview-with-barbara-valenza/)

"We loved this sweet story about a kind dog whose birthday turns out better than expected." --Read with Rocky (IG: @readwithrocky)

"Many thanks for Barbara Valenza (and her adorable homemade stuffed Little Lovedog) for coming to our library and sharing her fabulous story with us!" --Cotsen Children's Library; check out the interview: Love is All You Need! https://popgoesthepage.princeton.edu/love-is-all-you-need/

A "Best Gift for Dachshund Lovers" pick--DachshundStation.com

About Valenza's books: "The stories and illustrations are just beautiful." -- Communications executive