Poor Teddy

The True Story of a Poodle Named After a Noodle

Children - Animals
45 Pages
Reviewed on 08/26/2018
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

Author Biography

I'm a lifelong resident of Miami, Florida, and my passion for animals runs in the family. My first dog, Mopsy, was rescued from the streets when I was only seven years old and he lived for twenty years.

I volunteered at a local animal shelter for many years and received the Dade County Veterinary Foundation Volunteer Award in 2002. In addition to running my own small business, Basket Hound, I currently work at a local Humane Society educating the public, especially children, on responsible pet ownership. Teddy came from that shelter and was the inspiration for the book. I hope the book will spread awareness of the importance and joy of adopting shelter animals.

In my spare time, I enjoy visiting with friends, watching comedy, and painting, especially pets. I am a SCBWI member and Poor Teddy is my first book to be published. With all of my rescued pets and their stories, it certainly will not be my last.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite

Poor Teddy: The True Story of a Poodle Named After a Noodle is the incredible story of shelter adoption, written by Lisa DePriest and illustrated by Ignacio G. Abandoned and tied to a shelter door, Teddy growls out of fear when strangers approach him. Having been abused and neglected by previous owners, Teddy is unable to trust people. Some medical attention and grooming are required to improve his health, but potential families show more interest in the other prettier dogs. Teddy remains at the shelter for a number of months, continually overlooked. When Lisa – a member of the shelter staff – takes Teddy home for the weekend, she is surprised to see how well Teddy gets along with her other animals, but Lisa’s husband resists adopting another furry family member... until Teddy’s lovable personality rubs off in just the right way.

I was so excited by Teddy’s story that I read it more than once before posting this review. Having worked as a Vet Tech for the RSPCA, I was able to connect with the words on each page, and truly felt the sadness Lisa DePriest expressed – so much so that it reduced me to tears. It is always shocking to see how emotionally and physically abused animals often are when they are brought to the shelter by the inspectors – and we are all too aware that these are the lucky ones which are actually rescued from their situation before it is too late. Teddy had sustained injuries which left him unwilling to trust new people, but the love, patience and dedication of Lisa, as well as the non-judgmental welcome Teddy received by the other animals in Lisa’s home quickly taught Teddy that not all people are monsters. Happy endings in animal abuse cases are always the endings I look forward to and I am so happy that Teddy got his well-deserved happy ending. I absolutely loved reading Poor Teddy: The True Story of a Poodle Named After a Noodle and wholeheartedly recommend this book to readers of all ages, especially those who have an interest in being parents, guardians or foster parents of animals in need.

Jack Magnus

Poor Teddy: The True Story of a Poodle Named After a Noodle is a children’s animal story book written by Lisa DePriest and illustrated by Ignacio G. Teddy never expected to be tied up outside an animal shelter door, all by himself. It was frightening, and he was hungry and scared. Teddy growled whenever anyone came by, but he was only saying how frightened he was, and he never did try to bite. The shelter workers cleaned Teddy up and gave him lots of food and love, and eventually he was moved to the adoption area. Teddy would get excited whenever people came by and dash furiously around his cage, but no one seemed to want to stay and get to know him. This made Teddy sadder than ever. Then Lisa, who worked at the shelter, came up with an idea. She brought him into her office when she was working. He would sleep peacefully on a chair while she worked. Then the best thing ever happened; one day, Lisa took him home. But would he be able to stay? Lisa already had two rescue dogs and a cat. And Louis wasn’t at all interested in adopting another animal.

Poor Teddy is a heartwarming tale about a neglected dog who was abandoned at an animal shelter. I had an instant affinity to Teddy’s story as Ciaran, my Labrador retriever, had a similar story. He was found hiding in the bushes outside the animal shelter when he was a few months old, and he was still too frightened to even leave his cage when we tried to meet him. We brought in our other dog to meet him, and he finally felt safe enough with her to come home with us. I’ve always wondered what it must feel like for a dog to wonder how bad they could have been to be cast off like that. Teddy’s story is a marvelous one, especially because it’s a true story with a very happy ending. Ignacio G.’s illustrations are wonderful, especially the ones that show Teddy beginning to smile and learning to be a happy dog again. Poor Teddy is a great story to share with kids who are about to adopt a furry friend. It helps them understand the fears and insecurity a rescue dog may feel, but above all, it shows how a rescue dog's loving nature is just waiting for a chance to come out and show itself. Poor Teddy: The True Story of a Poodle Named After a Noodle is most highly recommended.

Marta Tandori

Poor Teddy: The True Story of a Poodle Named After a Noodle is a heart-warming story written by Lisa DePriest and illustrated by Ignacio G. One day, Teddy is found tied to the shelter door. He’s hungry and malnourished, as well as dirty and missing large patches of hair from his body, looking nothing like the elegant French poodle he’s supposed to be. After feeding and grooming him, the shelter workers put him on the adoption floor, but everyone ignores Teddy as they focus on the cuter dogs instead. After months of trying to have him adopted, without success, one of the shelter workers, Lisa, takes him home for her friends to meet Teddy but they cancel because of bad weather, leaving Teddy to spend the night at Lisa’s house. The only problem is that when morning comes, Teddy doesn’t want to go back to the shelter...

Poor Teddy follows a simple formula in children’s storytelling. It presents a problem at the beginning of the story after which characters are introduced that try to solve the problem, with a solution ultimately reached at the end. Not only does Poor Teddy teach young readers about problem solving, but it also teaches them about acceptance and that every living thing is worthy of kindness and attention. DePriest also teaches children – and adults – about the intuitiveness of animals – no easy feat considering she’s doing it in rhyming narrative.

The purpose of an illustration is to clarify and, in some cases, to elaborate on the narrative. Ignacio’s colorful illustrations have a life of their own. The illustrations, especially those of Teddy, express emotions brilliantly. As each illustration unfolds, the reader can see Teddy get better until he begins to blossom into an active and healthy little dog. Sometimes, illustrations also have the ability to elevate a relatively simple story to one that is fascinating, and such is the case in Poor Teddy. Poor Teddy is the perfect bedtime story. Engrossing and educational, it teaches young children some solid life lessons.

Alyssa Elmore

What would you do if you were suddenly abandoned? Left without a home or someone to love you? Poor Teddy: The True Story of a Poodle Named After a Noodle by Lisa DePriest is a heartwarming story of a puppy that learns about unconditional love. When volunteer Lisa met Teddy, he was a lonely little poodle, tied to the door of the shelter. At first, poor Teddy was rather grouchy with his new companions, not ready to trust anyone or make any friends. Scared and covered in mange, Teddy was not the cutest dog at the shelter; he also didn't win any personality awards with the visitors. As time goes on, Teddy begins to wonder if he will ever find a home or someone to love him. Will Teddy ever find a forever home? Can he let go of past hurts to find love for a new family?

Poor Teddy: The True Story of a Poodle Named After a Noodle by Lisa DePriest is an adorable children's picture book about a shelter dog learning how to love again. This book is a beautifully illustrated story about love, patience, and compassion, reminding us that love comes in many forms, and in many surprising ways. The story is upbeat and engaging, with a lyrical voice that makes reading the book aloud entertaining. I appreciated the underlying message of hope and enjoyed watching Teddy blossom as the story progressed. This book is perfect for the whole family, but especially little children as it is written for a younger audience. I would recommend this story to those readers contemplating adopting a shelter animal.

Bruce Arrington

Poor Teddy: The True Story of a Poodle Named After a Noodle, by Lisa DePriest, is a children’s picture story book about a homeless animal who was abandoned and badly treated. Taken to a rescue shelter, Teddy is restored to health, yet no one steps forward to adopt him. Will Teddy stay in the shelter for the rest of his life, or will a kind hearted person take him home?

The story deals with animal abandonment on a child’s level, allowing the young reader to sympathize with lost, stray and sick animals. It carefully builds the case of caring for another animal, even though it doesn’t belong to anyone. What I found interesting was that this was not a quick fix type of tale. Rather, it unfolded relatively slowly, bringing about a more realistic feel—sometimes animals have to wait a long time before they are finally adopted. But then the ending brings happy feelings and so all is well.

The art was colorful and bright, detailed and well presented. The poetic style fitted the story well, allowing the words to carry the engaged reader from one page to the next. I think that Poor Teddy: The True Story of a Poodle Named After a Noodle, by Lisa DePriest, would be suitable for children wanting a pet of their own. This could help them to understand the possible background of any animal they may choose to adopt. And by carefully thinking about the animal they want, it could lead to the best choice of all. Highly recommended.