Morris and Buddy: The Story of the First Seeing Eye Dog

by Becky Hall, Doris Ettlinger (Illustrator)

Morris Frank lost his sight in 1924, when he was only sixteen. One day, Morris's dad read him an article about an American dog trainer living in Switzerland. This is the story of his relationship with Buddy, his own seeing eye dog.

Genres: Picture Books, Dogs, Nonfiction, Biography, Childrens, Disability, History

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cried all the way through this book.

This is a very good biography of Morris Frank, who lost his sight at 16 and at 20 became the first recipient of a guide dog for the blind. He then went on to found the first guide dog school in the United States.

I had seen a tv movie ages ago about this pair and had read other accounts but I learned quite a big from this 40 page book, which is a cross between a chapter book (it does have 9 chapters and additional material) and a very advanced picture book.

There are illustrations and then at the end there are quite a few wonderful photos, including a few of the original Buddy. Frank had other dogs after his first Buddy died and named them all Buddy. One thing I learned was that he renamed the first Bubby, and I can see why he objected to the original name, although for me I’d have liked it.

This book works to show some of what guide dogs can do and the learning process of dog and person, especially the person; quite a bit is required.

Given how much I love and trust dogs, I found this book incredibly touching. It’s a great way to introduce the subject, including to children who might be considering being a guide dog puppy raiser, those who know anyone with any type of assistance dog, those who know anyone who’s got a disability, and all dog lovers. It’s a wonderful history book too because the account shows how much about so much has changed since the late 1920s.

For further learning about the subject, a bibliography listing many books and a list of 3 web sites are provided at the end of the book.

4 ½ stars

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh, this book is *so* touching and fascinating and powerful. Yet, it isn't hit-you-over-the-head at all, it's very gentle in the telling. I was captivated by the first page when it talked about how Morris had to be shipped *as a package would be* from America to Switzerland because he was blind and didn't have a traveling companion. He was locked in his room on the ship at all times except when he got to go out for daily exercise and he was brought three meals each day--no socializing with the other passengers at meals. Heartbreaking!!! This was in 1927 (I think--had to take the book back to the library already) and Morris traveled to Switzerland to talk to the lady who began a program to help wounded German veterans from WWI get by with help from German Shepherd dogs. Morris got the idea that maybe the dogs could help him and other blind people gain more independence in life, able to do things without needing another person to chaperone them all the time. The story that follows is at once heartrending and life-affirming and I was deeply moved. As an animal lover it was hard for me to read about the early days of Morris' training with his new dog, Buddy; how she stood so patiently by while he learned how to strap on her bridle without pinching her or stepping on her paws. And, by the end, I was totally tearing up when they showed the photographs of the real Morris and Buddy and all the progress they made for blind people in America. (The one of them getting on the United Airlines flight, the first time a dog was allowed on an airliner, really got me as it was taken shortly before Buddy died.) Highly recommended!!! Note that this is a slightly longer "picture book" with "chapters" and is probably more suitable for older children.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this elementary chapter book from Becky Hall - there are nine chapters, but each one is only two or three pages - the story of Morris Frank, a blind young man living in 1920s Nashville, who became the first American recipient of a seeing-eye dog, and went on to help others, by founding The Seeing Eye, is simply and effectively told. Blinded in a boxing accident at the age of sixteen, Morris was dependent on human guides to get around, and when he traveled to Switzerland, after reading an article about German shepherds being bred to aid soldiers blinded in WWI, he had to be shipped as a "package," by American Express! Once in Switzerland, at the estate of wealthy American Dorothy Harrison Eustis, Morris met his very first canine helper, Buddy (originally named Kiss!), and began training with her...

Informative and engaging, Morris and Buddy is everything that a children's biography should be! The narrative draws the reader into the story, making her feel as if she is in Morris's shoes. The text is simple enough to be read by elementary school students, but doesn't feel dumbed down, giving plenty of information about its fascinating subject. The artwork, which ranges from full-page paintings to inset chapter-heading illustrations, is appealing and warm, capturing Morris's feelings - trepidation, joy - in each scene, and Buddy's alert beauty. Highly recommended to young readers interested in seeing-eye dogs, and how they first came to be used in this most impressive canine-human partnership.

[Mygsasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book that would not have found if I had not met a blind friend.
It introduces us to the world of blind people.
The change of life which is its new status and loss of independence.
It is the story of a young man fighting and get back to be part of this independence was lost.
The begining of training dogs in America to assist blind,so that they can lead a more dignified life.
Morris will go look for that new life and help others.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very short chapter book. It is a just the facts telling about how an American went to Switzerland and got the first seeing eye dog. Pretty interesting. I liked the photos at the end.

[Vaibhav Kulkarni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing... though I heard the Marathi Translation by Anant Bhave in form of a Snovel Audiobook.

Really touching.. and inspiring at the same time.

[Barbara Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[Abby Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Morris Frank was blinded at the age of 16. Before the advent of seeing-eye dogs, he relied on paid helpers or family members to take him where he needed to go. He had no real independence. Many blind people at this time made brooms or wove baskets, but Morris wanted more out of life. He wanted a real job and his independence. When his father read an article about dogs being trained to help blind war veterans in Europe, Morris knew he had to go. Even though he was shipped like baggage over to Europe, Morris made it and he worked hard to train with the first seeing-eye dog. Eventually, Morris brought Buddy back to the United States and spread the seeing-eye dog program. Today The Seeing Eye has placed more than fourteen thousand dogs.

This was an interesting read because I didn't know anything about the topic, but I was left wanting more. The text is pretty short and accompanied by illustrations. There is a section at the end that contains photographs of Morris and Buddy and other seeing-eye dogs and trainers. A bibliography is included. This would make a good overview for an interested kid and would appeal to animal lovers. It's short enough to appeal to reluctant readers if they have an interest in the topic.

[Tatiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent biography on young Morris Frank, the first American to have a seeing eye dog in 1928. Morris was blinded in one eye at age six in a riding accident, but loses his sight completely in the boxing ring at the tender age of sixteen. At twenty, Morris is sent like a package by American Express to Switzerland in order to find his freedom through a seeing eye dog. At Fortunate Fields, Morris is partnered with his first seeing eye dog, Buddy, and the two make history when they make the voyage back to America and take New York by storm by delighting reporters and intriguing readers by their true tale.

Highly recommended biography for grades 3rd and up.

[lucem · Rating 5 out of 5]

CIP: The story of how Frank Morris used Buddy, the first seeing eye dog, to live with a degree of independence from other people.

This chapter book is an easy read taken a chapter at a time. Could be used at bedtime a chapter at a time or for a school biography report. Maybe even an animal or history report source. Reading level might be 3rd-5th. Has real life black & white pictures included with illustrations.

Reviewed in School Library Journal (May 2007) and Kirkus Reviews (March 1, 2007).

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short chapter book biography of Morris and his seeing eye dog Buddy...the first seeing eye dog in the US. Frank Morris became blind at the age of 16 and he wanted to remain independent...but had to rely on others to guide him around. When he heard that dogs had been trained to help soldiers in Germany who had been blinded in war, he knew he wanted to get a seeing eye dog for himself and then help others. And while it wasn't easy, that is what he did.

[Kim Norman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Becky Hall really brings her characters to life in this fast-moving story about the man who brought the first Seeing-Eye dog to America. I was amazing to read in this book that Mr. Frank, being blind, had to be "mailed" like a package across the Atlantic, because there were no accommodations for the disabled. Thank goodness times have changed!

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of course, I have a weak spot for anything to do with visually impaired. So I was interested to read about this experience. I thought it was a very good and informative biography for the age range it is aimed at. And there were definitely things I didn't know. I enjoyed reading it.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written. Local author who has a way of telling a story so that you don't realize you are learning anything.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story!

[Kristen Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating book. I bought it for my nephew who is training a dog but I loved it so much that I bought it for myself and one of my teenagers stole it from me.

[Aj · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned that blind people need a seeing dog.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dog and man had met. Now it was time to begin their education.