By Lisa and Michael Cohn

We love dog books that teach life lessons! In our latest kids’ dog book review, Michael, age 7, reviews “Brave Nellie,” and says (in his own words) that this book teaches kids to be brave and open to new experiences.

The book begins with Nellie as a dog who lives on the beach. But she’s soon rescued and flown to her forever home. Watch Michael’s review below:

Sadly, the author, Sharalyn Morrison-Andrews, sent us a note this week saying Nellie had passed away suddenly of cancer.

“I am consoled in knowing that she died surrounded by her loving ‘forever family’ and not alone on the beach of the Dominican Republic,” she told us.

We quickly put together this review in the hopes of cheering her up a little with Michael’s enthusiasm about her book.

We know what it’s like to lose a dog to cancer. The sudden death of our dear Lucy two years ago prompted us to write our “Bash and Lucy” book series and to do kids’ dog book reviews on YouTube.

Not only do dogs, like Brave Nellie, teach important life lessons. They change lives–the way Lucy changed ours. Our love for her and sadness about her death launched our Bash and Lucy project and took us in directions we never imagined going. Like Sharalyn, our goal is to teach kids all about the wonders of the canine-human connection, and all that kids can learn from dogs.

As you’ll learn if you watch the video, we’re about to launch a new website and YouTube Channel called Roving Reader Leaders. On this website, kids lead the KidLit discussion! If you’re an author, you can send us books to review or sign up for our newsletter here: RovingReaderLeaders.com If you’re a teacher or parent, you can sign up your kids up to join our club!