REESIE THE BLIND DACHSHUND: A TRUE STORY by P.G. Lachance; Maine Authors Publishing, 2020; 20 pages, $15.95

Kids love dogs, and children ages 4-6 years will truly love this heart-warming story about how a blind dachshund captured the hearts of her adopted family. This is a true story by Cape Porpoise author P.G. Lachance, and one suspects that Reesie is his family’s dog.

This is a perfect story for young children as it teaches humility, acceptance and understanding when someone (even a dog) is a bit different and needs love and consideration. Reesie is a shelter dog, rescued by a Maine family that doesn’t know she is blind.

The family notices Reesie can’t do normal dog things like play fetch, and she bumps into things. Once her blindness is diagnosed, the family discovers they love Reesie even more.  She may be blind — she’s still their cute wiener dog — but she’s full of love for her new family, shares it freely and her love is happily returned.

PERCY’S PATIENCE: THE STORY OF GOVERNOR BAXTER AND BAXTER STATE PARK by Barbara DeVito Bourgoine; Indie Author Books, 2021; 37 pages, $19.95

Baxter State Park is the crown jewel in Maine’s state-park system, but few people know it was the creation of one man’s dream and personal expense. “Percy’s Patience” is the wonderful children’s story about Percival Baxter (1876-1969) and his life-long effort to preserve Maine’s wilderness for public use.

Author Barbara DeVito Bourgoine and illustrator Jemelie Deering Bessette are both from Readfield, Maine, collaborating on this beautifully illustrated and charming story of how a man’s dream, patience and perseverance created Baxter State Park, saving Mount Katahdin and 200,000 acres of mountains, lakes, rivers and forests from commercial exploitation.

For children ages 6-10 years, the story describes Baxter’s early love for Maine’s wilderness and wildlife, hiking and fishing with his like-minded father. The smart narrative and illustrations provide vivid imagery of a considerate boy’s vision and how his determination carried over into adulthood, never losing sight of his goal. It took him more than 30 years to achieve his dream, overcoming obstacles, finding solutions and doing what he knew to be right.

This is a fun story of accomplishment, with powerful lessons for kids.

Bill Bushnell lives and writes in Harpswell.

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