Name: Make Room for Jasper
Item: Make Room for Jasper
Rating: 5
Author: Daniele Kasper

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A sweet tale about acceptance and dealing with family changes told through the eyes of a dog.

Synopsis

Fergie is a playful little dog, but after some time Mom notices that she looks sad and lonely; so, Mom decides to get her a brother. They drive a long way to a house with lots of big dogs. Mom has picked out one of the smaller ones to be Fergie’s new brother…but Fergie has other ideas.

Make Room for Jasper is a loveable and endearing story about belonging and being accepted. It is the perfect book for parents, teachers, and caregivers of kids 3-9 to start discussions on diversity and on blending families. This is the first in the Life Lessons From Dogs children’s series of books.

Make Room for Jasper is a delightful tale by Joann Neve that tackles a tough subject in a clever way to help children learn and understand with ease.

Fergie is an only dog, but she is also lonely. Her mom decides she needs a brother. Except, Jasper isn’t exactly what Fergie had in mind.

Neve’s skillful use of dogs in place of children keeps the book relatable enough for young readers to connect with but also lighthearted enough to not make the topic feel so heavy. Changes in the family can be a difficult time for children. From divorce, to step-siblings, to the arrival of a new baby, families can be a challenge for little minds to navigate, especially when they create big feelings.

One of the most poignant moments was when Jasper was brought home, and due to his size, he took up the entire couch. Poor Fergie had no room and had to lie on the floor. Sometimes when new siblings arrive, it can seem as though they become so much larger, taking up more attention and leaving kids feeling like there is no more room for them. Learning to adjust to these changes and realize that in a family there is space for everyone to be loved is a valuable lesson.

Another life lesson touched upon is differences amongst friends and family. This is a light way to introduce diversity and individual uniqueness to children. Jasper and Fergie may be opposites but Fergie learns to see those differences as things to accept and love about Jasper.

The illustrations were cute. They looked like watercolors, so the hand painted feel to them was a nice touch rather than the overproduced computer generated images we often see. The writing was simple, making it the perfect book for young readers to complete independently or a great read aloud by an adult.

This book is absolutely worth sharing with families preparing for big changes to help little minds adapt and adjust.

Reviewed by

Daniele's travels have taken her around the world and back again, but her favorite adventures will always be found between the covers of a good book. Daniele loves all things Outlander and Disney and can't grow a garden to save her life.

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