Before You Were Mine

Illustrated by David M. Walker
Adopting a shelter dog comes with unconditional love, but also many questions.

A little boy imagines what life was like for his new dog before he adopted him from a shelter. Maybe he had a boy who loved him, but the family had to move and couldn't keep him. Maybe he belonged to someone who didn't appreciate how mischievous puppies can be. Maybe he was treated badly.

But the most important thing is that now, he can be shown all the love he's been missing. Because this dog is home.

Winner of the Humane Society KIND Children's Picture Book Award and the ASPCA Henry Bergh Children's Book Award, this touching story celebrates all who support, care for, and adopt shelter dogs.
Maribeth Boelts is the author of more than 20 books for children, including the Step into Reading titles Dogerella and Sleeping Bootsie. She lives in Iowa along with her grown children, grandchildren, and several pets. Visit her online at MaribethBoelts.com. View titles by Maribeth Boelts
David M. Walker served as the seventh comptroller general of the United States and was the CEO of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) from 1998 to 2008. Currently the president and CEO of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, Walker is a frequent speaker, writer, commentator, and congressional witness. He has appeared on a significant number of television networks, cable channels, and radio programs, and has written for many major publications. View titles by David M. Walker
“Children are likely to beg their parents for a trip to the shelter after reading this moving book.” — Booklist

“Boelts’s restrained text and Walker’s affecting illustrations combine to pack a small wallop directly to the hearts of dog-loving children who will almost certainly give their pets an extra hug afterwards.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Boelts does an outstanding job of exploring the adoption of a rescued dog from a shelter. The text and illustrations create moods that shift between poignant and blissful.” — School Library Journal

About

Adopting a shelter dog comes with unconditional love, but also many questions.

A little boy imagines what life was like for his new dog before he adopted him from a shelter. Maybe he had a boy who loved him, but the family had to move and couldn't keep him. Maybe he belonged to someone who didn't appreciate how mischievous puppies can be. Maybe he was treated badly.

But the most important thing is that now, he can be shown all the love he's been missing. Because this dog is home.

Winner of the Humane Society KIND Children's Picture Book Award and the ASPCA Henry Bergh Children's Book Award, this touching story celebrates all who support, care for, and adopt shelter dogs.

Author

Maribeth Boelts is the author of more than 20 books for children, including the Step into Reading titles Dogerella and Sleeping Bootsie. She lives in Iowa along with her grown children, grandchildren, and several pets. Visit her online at MaribethBoelts.com. View titles by Maribeth Boelts
David M. Walker served as the seventh comptroller general of the United States and was the CEO of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) from 1998 to 2008. Currently the president and CEO of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, Walker is a frequent speaker, writer, commentator, and congressional witness. He has appeared on a significant number of television networks, cable channels, and radio programs, and has written for many major publications. View titles by David M. Walker

Praise

“Children are likely to beg their parents for a trip to the shelter after reading this moving book.” — Booklist

“Boelts’s restrained text and Walker’s affecting illustrations combine to pack a small wallop directly to the hearts of dog-loving children who will almost certainly give their pets an extra hug afterwards.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Boelts does an outstanding job of exploring the adoption of a rescued dog from a shelter. The text and illustrations create moods that shift between poignant and blissful.” — School Library Journal

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