The Puppy Adventures of Porter and Midge: Out and About

by Giselle Nevada, Jennie Chen, Ann Kelble (Illustrator)

CJ and Lora are on a mission. They want to ride on a float during the Independence Day Parade with their new puppies. But their camp counselor says puppies need basic puppy training before they can be in the parade. How will CJ and Lora train their puppies to be confident, calm, and open to learning new things? Will they be ready in time to ride the float in the parade?

Parents -- Are you looking for a fun and engaging way to teach your kids essential puppy training skills?

Dog Trainers -- Are you looking for a way to motivate families to get their puppies out and about?

Breeders and Rescue Volunteers -- Are you worried about your puppies not getting enough socialization in their new homes?

Introducing The Puppy Adventures of Porter and Midge: Out and About - a quick introduction to early socialization and training for puppies that will make them outstanding canine citizens and wonderful family pets. Kids will love following along with the two puppies' story as they learn about how to take care of their own pup. Use the included checklists to go on real-life adventures together with your furry friend!

Genres: Picture Books

38 pages, Hardcover

Published May 16, 2023

Reviews

[Aisling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just such a great book on so many levels. It's bursting with accurate but still child friendly information on how to socialize a new puppy, and the illustrations are colorful, and detailed.

As a dog owner I am so happy to see such a thorough but fun presentation of how to be a good owner. It's important that kids (and adults) learn the best ways to train dogs for their own safety. This book has a simple plot that will engage kids but still manages to work in many necessary stops in dog socialization (crowds, the vet, shops, noises etc).

The illustrations reminded me a bit of Richard M Scary in that there is lots to see in each picture. When I was reading to my kids we would love books like this because there is so much to see and talk about and it makes rereading so appealing. I also think these make good books for classrooms because kids will love picking it up to look at all the people and things happening in each scene. And huge props for diversity of skin color and body type.

This is an empowering book for kids and a must for families with a new puppy. I'm recommending this book! Five enthusiastic stars.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ll start this review with saying we are a family with pets, and so I read this with my 8 year old son. We have not gotten a new puppy yet, we still have one elderly dog, but within the past year we recently adopted a kitten (my son picked her out). We do plan to eventually get a puppy.

One of my favorite things about The Puppy Adventures of Porter and Midge: Out and About is the amazing amount of information about socializing and raising a puppy. This information can be adapted to raising a kitten and even for raising a child. There are so many wonderful reminders about the puppy getting too excited, or too scared, and needing reassurance, reminders, coaching, and praise. So does my 8 year old. In fact, all my furry and non-furry children behave better when they are worn out.

I also love the aspects of working together to a goal the kids both have. They both want their new puppies to participate in the Fourth of July parade and the kids help each other with training their dogs and each other to have the skills to manage such an event.

The illustrations are fun and engaging – the dogs look gorgeous and I want to pet them. The dogs are actually drawn in more detail than the people, which I find interesting. But we know the focus of the book.

The text in the book is long, it is definitely aimed at kids old enough to participate in training the family puppy. Some pages are quite busy with all the great facts and training ideas the kids are doing.

I also loved how the end of the book has a huge checklist for ideas to socialize your new puppy. Lots of people, animals, locations, smells, sights, etc. for you to expose a young dog to facilitate their training. I would say middle grade is definitely appropriate for this illustrated book, as is upper elementary.

The Puppy Adventures of Porter and Midge: Out and About is definitely a great book to have on your family bookshelf if you’re animal lovers and pet owner.

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Puppy Adventures of Porter and Midge: Out and About is a great way for kids to learn about animal care and their welfare when out and about in the public or just learning basic needs in everyday life.
This fun and engaging story has beautiful illustrations that help kids see what is being narrated and gives them a better appreciation of the story.
Giselle and Jennie also provide a checklist to use if you so choose on things to do and where you can take you puppies to help them on the right track to being their best selves.

[Christena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Puppies are not born perfect. They need training and guidance just like we all do when we are growing up. When you bring dogs and children together something special happens. Connections. Those connections are deepened by making the time to train and socialize a puppy.

Training and socializing puppies and teaching kids why it is important is the center of The Puppy Adventures of Porter and Midge Out and About. Because puppies again are not perfect. It is extremely important for the well-being of all puppies to have training so they can grow up to be perfect, loveable dogs. This book takes it another step further bringing kids into the training process.

I know how first-hand important socialization is for puppies because an Entlebucher Mountain Dog owns me. Without me and her grandmother socializing her when she was a puppy, fireworks to thunderstorms to people would make her a not-so-happy adult dog.

Authors, Jennie Chen and Giselle Nevada laid a fantabulous foundation in their read-along book for kids who are begging for a puppy. The authors give essential pointers for socializing and training your puppy. The socialization checklist at the end of the book is a great add-in for kids (and adults) to use.

I dare say even adults can learn from this book when it comes to puppy socialization.

A special shout out to Ann Kelble and her superb detailed pictures. They bring this story to life.

The authors created a fantabulous book about what is dear to them – dogs and training. This love is clearly evident throughout The Puppy Adventures of Porter and Midge Out and About. They take their love of dogs and puppies and give kids (and adults) a fun interactive groundwork on how to socialize a healthy well-adjusted connected puppy. Every soon-to-be puppy owner needs this book!

[Karen Siddall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-have for any family welcoming a new puppy into their home!

The Puppy Adventures of Porter & Midge: Out and About, the new picture book by authors Jennie Chen and Giselle Nevada and illustrator Ann Kelble, is a must-have for any family welcoming a new puppy into their home. With its adorable illustrations and simple yet informative storyline, the book can be enjoyed and appreciated by children and adults alike.

Bringing a new puppy into the home is not a frequent event, so few of us have much experience with it; so the tips and advice offered under the guise of Porter and Midge gaining confidence and training in how to act while out with the children is good information for new owners and valuable reminders for those who’ve been there in the past but find themselves raising a puppy again.

The story follows CJ and Lora around their hometown and into a variety of situations that, though familiar to them, are entirely new to their young canine companions. I really enjoyed the larger, panorama-style illustrations that spread over two open pages, especially the scene in the veterinarian’s waiting room. All the pictures contained surprising details, but the waiting room was filled with activity, decor, people, and pets. There was just so much to look at and enjoy.

With its engaging storyline and main characters, I recommend THE PUPPY ADVENTURES OF PORTER & MIDGE: OUT AND ABOUT to families with a new puppy.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Book Blog Tours.

[Ayla Eddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an adorably illustrated book that provides information on dog owner responsibilities at the level of understanding perfect for small children. Older readers can also gain information from this book too. It follows CJ and Lora along with their puppies, Porter and Midge, as they train for the Independence Day Parade. The children need to teach their pups to reamin calm when around new places, new people, and all sorts of new noises. As they go about getting their puppies ready it provides educational information for owning a puppy. It also comes with a check list and real-life adventure ideas to try out.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 - 3 Stars

The Puppy Adventures of Porter and Midge: Out and About is the first book in the Porter and Midge Series by Jennie Chen & Giselle Nevada. I have come into the series a little backwards, starting on Book #4 and working my way back. Luckily each book in the series can be read as a standalone, as each one contains its own ‘adventure’/lessons.
I could tell right away that this is the first book in the series as it is a lot ‘busier’, ‘wordier’, and a bit of an ‘information’ and image overload. There was so much going on in each illustration, with so many smaller more ‘intricate’ details- as well as the ‘wordier’ story printed over the illustrations- making for a bit of a ‘cluttered’, chaotic look and feel.
While the information contained in the story was interesting, and helpful for people wanting to train/socialize the new fur-members of their family (vet checks, vaccinations, socialization, training, instilling confidence, building resilience etc)- unfortunately most of that was lost amongst all the ‘clutter’. And while the illustrations were neat- they don’t have the same cute and engaging quality of the later books (Books #2 - #5- and although Book #5 isn’t out yet I had a look at the cover, and it has the same ‘cute’ illustrations that we love). The illustrations that do accompany this instalment, I feel, don’t help to reinforce the ‘lessons’ in the book, or really ‘engage’ the reader. They are well-drawn and somewhat colourful, but because there is so much going on in them, with so much ‘detailing’ it felt more like a ‘Where’s Waldo/Where’s Wally’ puzzle book than a children’s puppy adventure story. I hope I am making sense here….
This instalment also lacks the great ‘rhyming rhythm’ of the storytelling in the other books, which makes them so much more engaging and enjoyable than this one.
I Thought that it might just be my opinion, but when I tried reading the story to my grandchildren (aged between 3years and 8 years), which I have done with all the other books in the series (and they have loved)- they didn’t even make it to the second page before they lost interest with this one, and started talking over the story, wondering why Porter, Midge, CJ, and Lora didn’t ‘look’ the same as the other books. That’s all they seemed to focus on…
Looking forward to getting back to the ‘Porter and Midge’ style we love- with ‘Paws and Pastries’ (Porter and Midge: Paws and Pastries: A Kid's Guide to Homemade Dog Treats - Book #5).
Happy Reading…

Thank you, Jennie Chen & Giselle Nevada!

[Maryann · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book are quite lovely and the layout is charming, sure to please the eyes of kids of all ages. Picture books are some of my favorites, and I always look at the illustrations, first. Maybe a way to go back to my own childhood?

Whatever the reason, it’s good when the illustrations reflect, and add, to the narrative in a significant way, and these by Ann Keble do a terrific job of showing how much fun the children, and the dogs, had while in training. The two human main characters, Lora and CJ, take their young dogs on the various outings to acclimate them to crowds, and people, and other animals, so the dogs can participate in a Fourth of July parade in their town.

I enjoyed seeing all the places that C.J. and Lora took their dogs, including a fun day at the beach and another day at a farm watching an Australian Shepherd work the sheep.

While the title hints at fiction, the book is more of a training manual than a story. I read the book before checking out the book description, so I was a little off track. Then, after I read the foreword by the dog owner and trainer, Judy Ramsey, I had one of those “aha” moments. That foreword has great tips on introducing a new puppy, or dog, into a family and learning to work with the dog on some basic training and socialization. Those tips are reinforced by the narrative that follows as the children get their dogs ready for the parade.

However, that narrative is a bit clunky and stilted, as is some of the dialogue, and that kept me from completely enjoying the book.

Still, I can endorse The Puppy Adventures of Porter and Midge as a terrific resource for helping kids learn about pet care and responsibility, as well as introducing them to some training techniques. The authors are experienced in all aspects of training and dog ownership and that expertise is evident throughout the book. The authors also reinforce how important it is to embrace a new pet completely and make that commitment to their care and training.

A happy dog is one who knows the rules, as well as knows he or she is is loved.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

CJ and Lora are enjoying their summer camp, and they are especially excited to learn about the upcoming Independence Day parade. They would love to bring their puppies into the parade with them, but it turns out doing so is not as easy as they might have expected. As the summer continues, Lora and CJ take great care in preparing their puppies not only for the parade but also for future success as they navigate the world, and these skills help benefit everyone as the parade approaches. This lovely picture book is a great fit for families who are preparing to bring puppies into their lives. Though it follows a traditional narrative structure, much of the book reads as a guide for families who are training puppies themselves. Colorful and detailed illustrations are engaging to look at, especially as they are filled with a multitude of faces and pets. It is important to note that the text is small and does not incorporate much white space; this permits the illustrations to take precedence, but it may prove to be a challenge to read. While its overall design makes the book ill-suited to Storytime settings, it is a book that families will enjoy reading together and returning to again and again. Written based on experiences of the authors, a personal touch is felt throughout the story. And at the end, readers will find a checklist they can use as they go about training their own puppies. This is a charming tale that will speak to families whose dogs are near and dear to their hearts.

I received a copy of this book from the author and I chose to leave this review.

[Rox Burkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Puppies are a significant responsibility for children charged with being the caretakers. The proper training, socialization, and patience bring the puppy into the family's heart. The Puppy Adventures of Porter and Midge: Out and About details the steps for readers to take throughout the dog's growth from puppy to adulthood.

Families wanting to add a puppy to the family will love the easy-to-apply activities to optimize the experience. Like children, every puppy has a distinctive personality, best served by positive experiences during training. Socialization is as much about practice for both the owner and the puppy as it is about now overwhelming this new family member with unrealistic expectations. Maintaining the puppy's well-being with proper veterinary checkups, immunizations, and framework throughout its lifespan is vital. The checklist at the end of this book lists the various situations needed for a puppy to develop the ideal behaviors, no matter what sounds, sights, smells, and more.

This book is fun and engaging for all ages but ideal for children. Authors Giselle Nevada and Jennie Chen, and Ann Kelble bring together words and pictures to create lasting positive relationships. The life journey of a child and their puppy helps both handle life's trials. This highly recommend guide It makes a great reference book families can use for years.

[H. Ring · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Puppy Adventures of Porter & Midge begins with two children excited at the prospect of bringing their two puppies to a parade. As such, they begin a journey to help train and prepare their puppies for the exciting event.

I liked the level of detail that went into what training involves and that it’s always accompanied by showing comfort and safety to the dog. As you’ll see below in the Author descriptions, the experience of dog owning and training definitely shows.

As the two children take their puppies to different events and places, they keep calm and learn to have fun training their dogs. It has a great message about this process since sometimes training dogs can be a bit stressful.

The artwork for this book was great in it’s level of detail. Everywhere you looked on each page had some form of interest without seeming cluttered. I especially liked how the animals on each page had slightly more detail to make them stand out more. The colors were especially vibrant and each page exuded a fun and exciting tone.

For the overall story, I think that this is a great start for children to read if they want a dog. Training in some form is always necessary for puppies and this picture book kindly but firmly teaches that point.

[Celia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Puppy Adventures of Porter and Midge by Giselle Nevada and Jennie Chen was such a delightful read! Puppy Adventures is a picture books that tells the story of CJ and Lora and their puppies, Porter and Midge. The book centers around the importance of CJ and Lora taking care of their puppies, both health-wise with getting their vaccinations and taking care of their early puppy days, as well as their socialization.

I found Puppy Adventuers to be very educational for both children and adults. It is definitely a work that is meant to teach the proper care of having puppies. Adults that are looking into purchasing this book should have this objective in mind. The fun and sweet illustrations that accompany the information are vibrant enough to catch the reader's attention (aka, kids). This would be a great book to have available at pet adoption places, fairs, etc.

As I mentioned before, The Puppy Adventures of Porter and Midge is informative for both adults and children. It is definitely a book I would gift to someone who was looking into getting a dog for their children.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a parent or pet owner, you're likely looking for a children's book that not only entertains but also educates kids about responsible pet ownership. "The Puppy Adventures of Porter and Midge: Out and About" by Giselle Nevada and Jennie Chen is an excellent choice! This engaging tale follows CJ and Lora as they embark on a journey to train their puppies, Porter and Midge, for the Independence Day Parade. The story is both fun and informative, teaching kids the importance of early socialization and training for puppies.

What sets this book apart is its ability to balance entertainment with education. The colorful illustrations and lovable puppy characters will captivate young readers, while the helpful checklists and real-life adventures encourage kids to participate in their own pet's socialization. The story is also relatable, as it highlights the challenges and rewards of training a puppy, but can be a little wordy at times.

[Tausha Treadway · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Puppy Adventures of Porter and Midge: Out and About (Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series) by Jennie Chen and Giselle Nevada. This series is such a good series about dogs and how responsible owners need to learn how to train their pups. Its all done a level that kids can understand. The pictures are really illustrated well and my 6 year old nephew loved it. CJ and Lora want their dog to be in the local 4th of July parade but because they are puppies and not trained they will have to learn some stuff before they can ride in the parade. Learning ways to train their pups actually works out to be fun for the kids and they have a good time while learning something. These books are so good because not only do kids love them they also learn something from them.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out and About is another Porter and Midge story, that I read with my 8 year old. He loves dogs and enjoys reading these stories about him. The dogs owners, Lora and CJ want to take their dogs to a 4th of July parade. But, before they can do that, they need to give the dogs some more training, so they are prepared. The dogs need to learn to remain calm around new people, places, noises and smells. The kids do a great job training their dogs, and giving them toooons of treats. But, their hard work paid off, and they all got to enjoy the parade. The timing of us reading this book was perfect, as we are 4 days off from the 4th of July and attending our own parade. Luckily, we aren't taking our dog, but with the help of this book, my son knows what to do to prepare for next year.

[Lorralei Hoerner · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

The Puppy Adventures of Porter and Midge: Out and About is a fun and very educational children's book full of colorful illustrations. Teaching along the way, Lora and CJ would like to include their puppies Porter and Midge in their local parade. Having a new puppy is a lot of responsibility and knowing everything from playtime to manners...keeping the puppies calm if they are afraid...so much learning when trying to teach a new puppy including patience. Lora and CJ learn so much along the way and Porter and Midge are wonderful.

This story is a great book to learn everything about training a new furry family member...not only can children learn but even adults as well.....I love all the fun and educational value of this story.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Porter and Midge are excited! They've heard all about an upcoming parade with fireworks but they also know that they aren't quite ready to go out and enjoy them all just yet. Their owners have a few responsibilities to meet with them before the big day. Porter and Midge learn all about treats and how to earn them. They also learn that going to the vet isn't so bad either. Finally, the topic of pet vaccinations is covered too! Now they are ready for the big, fun Fourth of July event!

Such a cute book that can guide a new pet owner through some steps they should take. This is a fictional story that has great tips and tools but as always, consult with a professional on matters that are concerning.

[Anna Hirsch · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Puppy Adventures of Porter and Midge Out and About
(Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series)
By Jennie Chen and Giselle Nevada
4 Stars

This is another great book that teaches children about the responsibilities of taking care of puppies. CJ and Lora want to ride the float in the parade with their dogs but they need to prepare their puppies for the big day. There are vaccinations that they need and they must learn to remain calm in a crowded and loud environment. Children will learn all that they need for puppy training in this book. It highlights different situations ie: at the vet, in crowds, in a loud environment and socializing. The Porter and Midge series is awesome and I think every child who wants a dog should read them. They will learn a lot.

[Enchanted Owl · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the book it shows how CJ and Lora are trying to be responsible pet owners and it does a great job at that. Helping children understand that there is more to owning a dog than just playing with them is wonderful! The fact that the story shows CJ and Lora taking Porter and Midge to the vet and socializing them and getting both dogs comfortable in any environment or situation is amazing. Involving children at a young age in caring, teaching and sharing responsibility for a pet is a great thing. The checklist at the end of the book is a great resource for children to use and can see how much they have achieved in the training journey from when they first started with the puppy training.

[La Toya · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Puppy Adventures of Porter and Midge: Out and About is a children’s book by Jennie Chen and Giselle Nevada. It is part of their Porter and Midge Children’s Book Series. Lorna and CJ are learning how to keep Porter and Midge safe in this book. They learn what to do for the dogs until their final vaccinations. They also learn what to do to keep the dogs as well as others safe when they are out and about. This is a very helpful guide for old and new pet owners. The book is easy to read. The instructions are given in a fun story but are easy to follow. The illustrations are clear and fun. This is another must-have pet care book.

[Shannen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is absolutely a must read for current and future dog owners alike! We have enjoyed other books about Porter and Midge and this is no exception. Both of my kiddos and I enjoyed this wonderful book about the importance of training and socializing puppies. It is especially helpful for my youngest who has a harder time understanding animal needs, and I feel like it assisted him in seeing the bigger picture. The illustrations are not only gorgeous and incredibly detailed, but they do add so much more to the story for readers both young and old. I feel like this would be a marvelous addition to a library, your home, and adoption shelters!

[Roxsanne Lesieur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Porter and Midge have just arrived at their new home, and it is their first adventure and their owners are just as excited as they learn how to train and socialise their new friends, but only after their final vaccinations!

The training starts at home so they know their basic commands and then when the time is right, they go to visit new people and places so that they can get used to all the new sights, sounds and smells of the wide world.

Will the two dynamic duos' complete the training in time for a big event, or will it all be a bit too much for the new arrivals? This is a wonderful book with some excellent tips and activities for anyone bringing a new addition into the family.

[Carrie Klaiber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Porter & Midge is a story about a Swissie puppy and a Mastiff puppy who are best friends and go out learning all about the different people, animals, sights, and sounds of the world.

My dog Waylon gives Porter and Midge 4 stars (Would have been 5 stars but he said the pages are hard to turn without thumbs.) And I am giving it 5 stars.

This book is great for teaching children (and adults!) in a fun/cute way about how to properly socialize their new puppies, and includes a checklist that you can use for your own pup's experiences!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nevada and Chen have gone above and beyond AGAIN in this book to show what it takes to raise and train puppies. I cannot say enough about these two authors and how much research and time they put into their books to show not only kids but adults as well what is needed when deciding whether or not to get a pet. This installment focuses on the socialization aspect of pet ownership and the ups and downs of it and what you can do as a responsible pet owner. I love how thorough they are and the illustrations are phenomenal. They also do a fantastic job of weaving a story in as well.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

CJ and Lora are doing such a great job at taking care of and training Porter and Midge. They are both so well behaved during their outings. I love that this book shows the importance of getting dogs their vaccinations, and how to try and keep them from being stressed at the vet. In this book they get to meet many new animals and people while preparing to be in the Independence Day parade. The end is so cute with both Porter and Midge just passed out due to having such a long and eventful day, sleepy dogs are the sweetest.

[Kerry Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another delightful book following the adventures of Porter and Midge. This time, they need to learn basic training to take part in a parade. As usual, this book takes an important, educational matter relating to dogs and teaches it to children in a fun and entertaining way. Both of my kids loved learning about what is involved in training dogs, and everything they need to learn.
The illustrations fit perfectly with the story being told and really help to bring it to life. Each book in this series is just as good as the last and we definitely enjoyed this on in our household.

[Jennifer Reimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cute short kid’s story is all about puppies and how much they need training and guidance and sometimes it’s not always as easy as it seems. This book was a very well-done book on teaching children on how to care and trin for a puppy. And that puppies need tons of attention and a lot of socialization, training, and patience. This story was very informative in all thing’s puppies, and my kids really enjoyed this book, but of course they also love dogs. Highly recommend this book especially if you have small children and are thinking about getting a puppy.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Puppy Adventures of Porter and Midge: Out and About is a part of the Porter and Midge Series. The books in this series are always super informative and cute to read. This one was no different. We love reading this series, especially the older little one. He learns a lot about the responsibility it takes to have dogs. makes him really appreciate our doggos more. I love the showcase of all the different dogs and backgrounds. Also Omg Mastiff paws are so cute!!! Soo big vs their tiny bodies 🤣🥰 lol I love it,cuteness overload. We look forward to more of the authors work 🥰

[Kat Mellon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Puppy Adventures of Porter and Midge: Out and About was such a cute book but also very helpful and informative! Porter and Midge are going to be out and about on adventures, leading up to the Independence Day parade in town. The book walks through the steps on acclimating a dog to loud noises and large crowds, how to teach them to sit and listen and reinforcing good behavior while also covering the importance of vaccinations for dogs. My littles have been asking for a dog so this has been very helpful for them in learning that it's a big responsibility.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute book with great information about socializing puppies! We adopted a puppy in September and I think this would be a really good introduction for any families with kids looking to add a furry family member. There is also a helpful socialization checklist at the end. There is a lot of text so might be best for slightly older kids. The illustrations are fun and colorful. Highly recommend!