This is a ‘tail’ by Olaf, the fox red Labrador therapy dog, who visits schools and hospitals in Gloucestershire.

This story (written in rhyme), describes Olaf’s classroom adventures, particularly when Christmas celebrations are at risk due to a kitchen breakdown.

Happily, Olaf and his band of merry canine friends manage to save the day and give the children a party they will never forget. The book includes activities and uses Makaton sign language symbols to make it accessible to a wide range of readers.

Target audience – children and dog lovers of any age. Olaf gives all book proceeds to the Pets As Therapy charity.

My Thoughts

Last Saturday I went with my son to take my two youngest granddaughters out for the day. While travelling on the train from Hayes to Beckenham, we started reading Team Olaf To the Rescue. As Clara is only five and Rosa is two, I had to read it aloud to them. Clara managed a few words using the pictures and Makaton symbols – words like dog, Christmas, school, play, sausages etc. She is learning phonics at school which also helped her to sound out some of the words.

We continued over lunch in Wimpy (yes there is one in Beckenham – Cheltenham branch is long gone) – and now we had a table, we could do some of the fun activities like the word search, join the dots, matching words to pictures and the ‘find your route puzzle’. No, I couldn’t do the latter either without referring to the answers. We still have to colour in the pictures – another great activity for my next visit.

Team Olaf To the Rescue is a lovely, big, shiny-covered book that children will adore. Lots of pictures, a sweet story and plenty of puzzles and colouring in. The dogs are so cute – my favourite is Elfin Meelo – probably because he’s a terrier – I’m guessing it’s a ‘he’. Clara loved Cosmic Cooper best. I think it’s the name.

Highly recommended as an educational book for children, but also one that draws attention to a very important charity.

About Pets As Therapy

PAT is a national charity that enhances the health and wellbeing of thousands of people in communities across the UK. They strive to ensure that everyone, no matter their circumstances, has access to the companionship of an animal.

Volunteers and their temperament-assessed pets visit establishments such as care homes, hospitals, hospices, schools and prisons, and bring smiles to many faces. People of all ages get the chance to chat to someone and stroke a friendly cat or dog.

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Buy Links
Order your copy here
£8.99