Mountain Mutts

Joy's Tale

Children - Picture Book
30 Pages
Reviewed on 06/04/2023
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Luwi Nyakansaila for Readers' Favorite

Mountain Mutts: Joy's Tale by Julie A R Stephens is a children’s picture book that tells the tale of two friends, Winter and Spring. These friends are dogs that love spending time together. They are best friends that enjoy playing, snuggling, and taking trips to the river together. One day, the unfortunate happens when Winter dies, leaving Spring with grief and sadness. The family knows that the only thing that can cure Spring's sadness is joy. So, they bring her a cute puppy named Joy to play with. Get a copy of this book and join Spring as she tries to overcome her grief by bonding with a new friend.

Saying that I loved reading Mountain Mutts: Joy's Tale is an understatement. I was surprised by the premise and concept of the book. Julie A R Stephens addresses the unique topic of animals experiencing grief and uses actual pictures of the animals to tell the story. The book is well-written and packs an emotional punch. I did not see the death twist coming, which brought tears to my eyes because losing a loved one is painful. I loved how the author humanized the animals and made me feel their pain and loneliness. Joy was a wonderful addition to the story because her cute personality and determination were infectious. The beautiful pictures of the dogs perfectly complement the story. I recommend this book to anyone who loves heartwarming stories about animals.