TROUBLE DOG
From Shelter Dog to Conservation Dog
By: Carol A. Foote
Illustrated by: Larry Day
Published: February 25, 2025
Publisher: Eerdsmans Books for Young Readers
Fiction
Tucker the Dog would get adopted and then, not long after leaving, he would be returned to the shelter saying, “He’s trouble.” All Tucker wanted to do was play, but when his family didn’t have time to play, he made his own fun, which tended to cause problems. Lamps would crash to the floor, fish tanks would get knocked over, and shoes would be chewed to bits. Time and time again, he would be looked over until Laura spotted him looking expectantly in his cage. Laura noticed how excited he got when she held out a ball, so she decided to take a chance on this troublesome dog.
Laura decided to use Tucker’s energy for good and put him to work. First, she found out what he could do and then started training him to detect certain scents, rewarding him with play every time he got something right.
Laura works for an organization that protects various endangered animals or plants or removes invasive species that harm other plants or animals. This story is based on two real dogs and the actual Working Dogs for Conservation organization that does just what the Tucker in the story does.
This story offers the opportunity to learn about a vital conservation organization and the neat things it does to protect various species. But I also think it sends an important message to all of us that we all have value. Tucker, the dog, was labed as “trouble,” so he was constantly looked over as a valued dog. I see this same situation happen at school when a particular student may have difficulty learning a particular lesson or has issues with sitting still or has some sort of learning or ability issue. It’s easy to look them over, but they may just be built for something greater, like Tucker, saving plants and animals.
I think kids will love this story about Tucker and relate to him. I also bet they will want to know more about this organization. At the end of the book, the author includes the true story of Wicket and Pepin, real conservation dogs like Tucker in the story, and the work they have done all over the world to save anteaters, koalas, salamanders, tigers, and more. I loved learning about this organization and I know kids will too!
Carol Foote is a former freelance journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and a variety of popular science magazines. A strong supporter of wildlife conservation, she met with human and canine members of Working Dogs for Conservation while researching this book. Carol lives near Santa Cruz, California, where she enjoys exploring new places and photographing animals in the wild. Check out her website, HERE.
Larry Day is the illustrator of Found (Simon & Schuster), A Fort on the Moon (Neal Porter), Underground Railroad (Dial), and over fifteen other books for children. His work has received numerous starred reviews and three gold medals from the Society of Illustrators. Larry currently lives in Colorado. Visit his website, HERE.
To purchase a copy of TROUBLE DOG, click HERE.
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Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to make a purchase through the above links, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase.
Posted Under Book Review, Carol A. Foote, Children's books, dogs, fiction, Larry Day