Helper Hounds

Danny is scared to tell the truth. After he saw someone steal some bikes, now he has to see that person in court and tell what he did. To help calm Danny's fears on the big day, his parents call the Helper Hounds-and there's no better pup for the job than Spooky. Spooky was involved in a crime herself-she lost her leg after being shot by a police officer who thought she was dangerous. Will Spooky's best calming tricks give Danny the courage to tell the truth in court?

After losing her first two forever homes, Noodle the golden doodle knows all about the sadness of goodbyes. But in her new home with Andrea and as an official Helper Hound, Noodle helps Gabriel deal with the loss of his grandfather and to discover that our loved ones can be found in the little things all around us even when they're gone.

Max and his sister Lily are staying with relatives while their mom is away getting her own emotional help. Max and Lily are being teased and bullied at school. Their Aunt Eileen calls the Helper Hounds, and soon Robot, an endearing Rottweiler who knows all about bullies, comes to give support. A lot of people think Rottweilers are bullies, but that's because they don't really know how cuddly they can be. Robot and his handler Samuel help the kids at Max and Lily's school deal with bullies while Max and Lily gain new friends.

Miryam's body doesn't fight off germs like it should. While doctors figure out how to make her better, Miryam needs to stay home for online classes. The trouble is: Miryam struggles to focus on her teacher and schoolwork when learning online. She likes in-person learning at school much better! Plus, she misses her friends! When Miryam's dad hears about the Helper Hounds, everything changes. Brisket the Helper Hound knows all about learning to focus and about staying in touch with friends, even from a distance. "A child who can't safely return to in-person schooling learns focus from a well-trained Lakeland terrier. Despite all his 'zoomies' and 'wiggles,' Brisket is an excellent Helper Hound. After he was adopted by Luke, a White American man then living in London, Brisket became a medal-winning pup in his obedience drills. Now he and Luke live in America and work in animal-assisted therapy. Wearing his Helper Hounds vest, Brisket demonstrates his focus and attention for Miryam, an immunocompromised child who can't return to normal school yet. In the illustrations-which depict adults rather like tall children-Miryam and her father, Malik, have pale skin and straight, dark hair. Luke explains to them how the skills that make Brisket excel at obedience drills might also help Miryam with remote schooling. Frequent breaks for Miryam and Brisket to run and play (getting their 'zooooooomies out') keep this story from becoming a lesson in how a child should behave like an obedient pet. Illustrations of Luke, Miryam, and Malik wearing masks, together with discussion of both children with health concerns and the difficulties of remote schooling, provide value for readers whose early education has been so utterly strange. One major continuity problem and some indifferent prose aside, reading about Miryam's problems could comfort readers who've experienced the strangeness of pandemic school and medical fears. Tips on focusing and further facts about Lakeland terriers follow the story. Series companion Louis Helps Ajani Fight Racism publishes simultaneously. For instructional, therapeutic reading, with a dog narrator as the spoonful of sugar."-Kirkus Reviews

Ming often gets teased for being "weird." His curious mind and wild imagination make him extra nervous for his school's upcoming lockdown drill after a deadly dance hall shooting. His teacher calls the Helper Hounds to help calm his nerves and King Tut comes to the rescue! King Tut knows all about being weird-she's been in some scary situations herself after being abandoned under a bridge as a puppy. King Tut helps Ming and his classmates through the lockdown drill. Discover how King Tut helps Ming and his friends see the beauty in being "weird."

Ajani loves having a dad from Denmark and a mom from Jamaica. Ajani speaks three languages and gets to spend summers with his grandparents in the coolest places. But when a classmate overhears dark-skinned Ajani speaking Danish, the boy makes a hurtful, racist comment. Ajani is crushed. Until a chance encounter with Louis the Helper Hound helps Ajani feel proud of his heritage and helps him and his classmates fight racism.

After losing her first two forever homes, Noodle knows all about the sadness of goodbyes. But in her new home with Andrea and as an official Helper Hound, Noodle helps Gabriel deal with the loss of his grandfather.

Born with Down syndrome, Portia knows people want to limit what she can do. Inside herself, Portia knows she can do anything-including getting over her fear of dogs. But when Penny shows up, she isn't so sure.

Ming often gets teased for being "weird." His curious mind and wild imagination make him extra nervous for his school's upcoming lockdown drill after a deadly dance hall shooting. His teacher calls the Helper Hounds to help calm his nerves and King Tut comes to the rescue! King Tut knows all about being weird-she's been in some scary situations herself after being abandoned under a bridge as a puppy. King Tut helps Ming and his classmates through the lockdown drill. Discover how King Tut helps Ming and his friends see the beauty in being "weird."

Mary's new in town. She's worried about starting classes at her new school. That's why her mom calls the Helper Hounds-and why Sparkplug, the wildly handsome, wickedly smart, card-carrying, world-famous Helper Hound is on the scene. Sparky knows a thing or two about moving. He moved four times as a puppy, and learned to make new friends along the way. Sparky knows he can teach Mary all his best tricks and help her meet new friends, too. At least Sparky thought he could until he met Custard, Mary's persnickety cat. Will Sparky's best tricks be enough to win over Custard and show Mary making friends is nothing to fear?

Max and Lily are being teased and bullied at school. Their Aunt Eileen calls the Helper Hounds-and soon Robot, an endearing Rottweiler who knows all about bullies, comes to give support.

Miryam's body doesn't fight off germs like it should. While doctors figure out how to make her better, Miryam needs to stay home for online classes. The trouble is: Miryam struggles to focus on her teacher and schoolwork when learning online. She likes in-person learning at school much better! Plus, she misses her friends! When Miryam's dad hears about the Helper Hounds, everything changes. Brisket the Helper Hound knows all about learning to focus and about staying in touch with friends, even from a distance.

Danny is scared to tell the truth. After he saw someone steal some bikes, now he has to see that person in court and tell what he did. To help calm Danny's fears on the big day, his parents call the Helper Hounds, and there's no better pup for the job than Spooky. Spooky was involved in a crime herself, she lost her leg after being shot by a police officer who thought she was dangerous. Will Spooky's best calming tricks give Danny the courage to tell the truth in court?

Ajani loves having a dad from Denmark and a mom from Jamaica. Ajani speaks three languages and gets to spend summers with his grandparents in the coolest places. But when a classmate overhears dark-skinned Ajani speaking Danish, the boy makes a hurtful, racist comment. Ajani is crushed. Until a chance encounter with Louis the Helper Hound helps Ajani feel proud of his heritage and helps him and his classmates fight racism.