How to use the series:

Each book in the P&P series features Classic Coming of Age stories with multi-layered themes and messages for a wide variety of readers.

Ages 7-10 will enjoy the surface of the stories; ages 10-13 will begin to see the messages; ages 13 and up will begin to identify with the deeper themes.

Each book reflects issues children experience and the animal characters give voice to emotions that children often cannot. See the discussion guide on the Dog at the Gate page for ideas on how you can draw a child into helpful conversations.

The main goals of the series are:

To Help children who have difficulty verbalizing their life stresses but who can identify with animals. The animal characters experience the same issues: e.g.:  social isolation; personal identity conflicts; bullying; rejection; lack of power; decision-making; growing up challenges.

To Provide humane education for children: teaching what animals need; to develop empathy; seeking to see the world through animal eyes; assisting in the early development of altruism.

A major goal is to turn potential animal abusers around--avoiding the inevitable escalation to violence against people. Children begin abusing animals when they are abused, or see abuse modeled in the adults around them. The P&P series seeks to give children more constructive options through humane awareness of animals as sentient beings.

To Teach through storytelling and entertainment: by encouraging reading by featuring colorful characters and engrossing stories.

To Develop early problem-solving abilities/analytical thinking:  the animal characters show how to set goals and develop step-by-step accomplishments to attain those goals. They face the consequences of their decisions and grow in personal responsibility.

To Promote the humane treatment of all creatures and the environment by furnishing tools for parents, teachers, counselors, and humane educators at home, school, in therapeutic settings, and at animal rescue environments.

Pups & Purrs Audience

• Middle-Grade readers (ages 8-14)
• Readers who dislike/have difficulty with reading, by providing intriguing stories, in easy-to-read formats, with charming illustrations.
• Parents who want to be able to share reading experiences with their children.
• Teachers who seek user-friendly tools to encourage students to read.
• Counselors who need animal character bridges to assist troubled children open up about their own life challenges—while identifying with the story characters.
• Humane Educators who can share animal stories in shelters, rescues, and sanctuaries when children visit or volunteer.