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Mogie: The Heart of the House
Mogie is a real-life Labradoodle with a special talent: he always knows just what a sick kid needs! Get to know this passionate pup with this story by a Newbery Honoree.
Give that dog a puddle and he'd splash. Give him a whistle and he'd roll over. Give him a rule and he'd break it.
One day a passel of puppies was born. Each puppy was designated for a Very Important Job, like Service Dog, or Search and Rescue Dog, or Groomed for the Show Ring Dog.
Each puppy, that is, except Mogie. Mogie was a ball-chasing, tail-wagging, moon-howling pup. Not the kind of pup for any of those jobs!
But there is a place that is just right for Mogie: a very special house where sick children and their families can stay while they undergo long-term treatment. A place with children who NEED a ball-chasing, tail-wagging, moon-howling pup.
And there's one little boy in particular who needs Mogie. And Mogie is about to prove he's the best darn pooch in the passel. Based on a true story, this heartwarming picture book is published in conjunction with the Ronald McDonald House.
Give that dog a puddle and he'd splash. Give him a whistle and he'd roll over. Give him a rule and he'd break it.
One day a passel of puppies was born. Each puppy was designated for a Very Important Job, like Service Dog, or Search and Rescue Dog, or Groomed for the Show Ring Dog.
Each puppy, that is, except Mogie. Mogie was a ball-chasing, tail-wagging, moon-howling pup. Not the kind of pup for any of those jobs!
But there is a place that is just right for Mogie: a very special house where sick children and their families can stay while they undergo long-term treatment. A place with children who NEED a ball-chasing, tail-wagging, moon-howling pup.
And there's one little boy in particular who needs Mogie. And Mogie is about to prove he's the best darn pooch in the passel. Based on a true story, this heartwarming picture book is published in conjunction with the Ronald McDonald House.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published June 10, 2014
5 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
About the author
Kathi Appelt
55 books551 followersLives in College Station, TX with husband Ken and four adorable cats.
Two sons, both musicians.
Serves on the faculty at Vermont College of Fine Arts in the MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults Program.
Two sons, both musicians.
Serves on the faculty at Vermont College of Fine Arts in the MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults Program.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
February 6, 2017
It's the true story of Mogie the dog! Find out what his job became and how he helped children heal. Based on a true story.
4****
4****
November 27, 2019
This one is A BIG time tear jerker.
June 27, 2014
A sweet story about a dog who is the heart of the Ronald McDonald House.
About a boy who gets sick and goes to the Ronald McDonald house and a dog who failed as a service dog, failed as a search and rescue dog, failed as a show dog and broke every rule. One day he broke the Ronald McDonald rule of no dogs and makes friends with Gage. Gage gets better and leaves. While Mogie misses Gage, he now has Antonia...
About a boy who gets sick and goes to the Ronald McDonald house and a dog who failed as a service dog, failed as a search and rescue dog, failed as a show dog and broke every rule. One day he broke the Ronald McDonald rule of no dogs and makes friends with Gage. Gage gets better and leaves. While Mogie misses Gage, he now has Antonia...
June 12, 2015
Opening:
Share this line from the story: "Give that dog a puddle and he’d splash. Give him a whistle and he’d roll over. Give him a rule and he’d break it." Today we are going to read a story called Mogie. Mogie is a dog that can relate to sick children and has passion for those children based on what they need. In your writer's notebooks, write down 3 ways in which Mogie could be helpful to sick children. Think about how those might make the children feel. Also think about how this could connect to a pet you have had or a pet you may know. If you have never had a pet, create one!
Contributions:
-Prompt predictions based on the title
-Prompt brief sharing of personal experiences related to the topic or theme
-Share a personal connection you have with the text
-Raise questions in readers' minds
Rationale:
I chose to read this book during our personal narrative unit because it does a nice job letting students make connections. They are always making connections to stories that they can relate to in their own lives and this one allows them to do so since most of them have pets. Even if they don't have pets, it allows them to be creative as writers are and create a pet from their own imagination. Without them even knowing it, it is allowing them to brainstorm ideas!
Share this line from the story: "Give that dog a puddle and he’d splash. Give him a whistle and he’d roll over. Give him a rule and he’d break it." Today we are going to read a story called Mogie. Mogie is a dog that can relate to sick children and has passion for those children based on what they need. In your writer's notebooks, write down 3 ways in which Mogie could be helpful to sick children. Think about how those might make the children feel. Also think about how this could connect to a pet you have had or a pet you may know. If you have never had a pet, create one!
Contributions:
-Prompt predictions based on the title
-Prompt brief sharing of personal experiences related to the topic or theme
-Share a personal connection you have with the text
-Raise questions in readers' minds
Rationale:
I chose to read this book during our personal narrative unit because it does a nice job letting students make connections. They are always making connections to stories that they can relate to in their own lives and this one allows them to do so since most of them have pets. Even if they don't have pets, it allows them to be creative as writers are and create a pet from their own imagination. Without them even knowing it, it is allowing them to brainstorm ideas!
July 23, 2014
This book is a special one for me. It's about Mogie, the dog whose special talent was the ability to know which person needed cheering up, a doggie kiss, or some quiet company at a Ronald McDonald House in Houston.
My daughter requires surgeries that has us staying in a different state than the one we live in for an extended amount of time. During her first surgery we stayed in a house that is similar to a Ronald McDonald House and the benefits of having people around and a place to stay that was close to the hospital was so beneficial. These homes and the people, and animals, that work there are a lifesaver to these families. I'm glad there is a picture book to celebrate them!
My daughter requires surgeries that has us staying in a different state than the one we live in for an extended amount of time. During her first surgery we stayed in a house that is similar to a Ronald McDonald House and the benefits of having people around and a place to stay that was close to the hospital was so beneficial. These homes and the people, and animals, that work there are a lifesaver to these families. I'm glad there is a picture book to celebrate them!
February 20, 2014
A celebration of Mogie and the love he bring to sick children. Who doesn't love dog books??
September 26, 2019
Such a great story about an amazing dog. Animals truly are wonderful.
June 25, 2014
My first thought was "this is The Fault in Our Stars for the preschool set. Well I thought that as I wiped the tears away. It is not too much of a tearjerker though, just heartwarming enough. I loved that the very cartoonish illustrations of Mogie actually looks just like the photo of the real Mogie on the back cover.
April 12, 2014
I dare you to read it without choking up. An adorable and touching storybook.
July 1, 2025
3.5 STARS. What makes this story extra special is that it's based on the very real story of Mogie, a dog who brightened the lives of children at the Ronald McDonald House of Houston.
I read this to my five-year-old granddaughter, and given the subject matter, she had a lot of questions, including two I had, too: how did Mogie get in the no-dogs-allowed house and never get kicked out? And, there was one pretty big typo (and a pet peeve of mine) that Mogie "could care less."
The illustrations are beautiful. Illustrator Mark Rosenthal uses soft lines and colors, and my granddaughter delighted in following the dotted path that Mogie takes as he trots through the children's home. The expressions on the faces of characters helps create the mood.
It is a lovely story that I recommend as a read-along and as a good reminder to children (and those reading to them) that not everyone has a healthy body and that sick and sad people need doses of happiness as much as any medicine.
I read this to my five-year-old granddaughter, and given the subject matter, she had a lot of questions, including two I had, too: how did Mogie get in the no-dogs-allowed house and never get kicked out? And, there was one pretty big typo (and a pet peeve of mine) that Mogie "could care less."
The illustrations are beautiful. Illustrator Mark Rosenthal uses soft lines and colors, and my granddaughter delighted in following the dotted path that Mogie takes as he trots through the children's home. The expressions on the faces of characters helps create the mood.
It is a lovely story that I recommend as a read-along and as a good reminder to children (and those reading to them) that not everyone has a healthy body and that sick and sad people need doses of happiness as much as any medicine.
November 14, 2018
Mogie: The Heart of the House is on my favorites shelf because it talks about how dogs can truly change peoples lives and help those who are sick. Having a degree in Human Services and Animal Therapy this book talks about how dogs from litters go onto do great things touching lives all around them! Mogie in particular was very special to the Ronald House and picked out one special boy in the house who was very sick and giving up on life. Mogie inspired the boy to get better and look to the positive of life.
In the reading classroom, teachers can use this book to show the different possible careers for dogs. This is great read if there is a service dog on site at your school, to help students see the purpose behind service dogs.
In the reading classroom, teachers can use this book to show the different possible careers for dogs. This is great read if there is a service dog on site at your school, to help students see the purpose behind service dogs.
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February 7, 2020This a heart warming book about Mogie, the dog, and he spends his time at the special house in the heart of the city. He makes kids like Gage and Antonia feel better when they have to stay at the special home.
This book makes you feel so many emotions all at once. You are sad to learn that kids like Gage have to go to the special home because they get sick. You feel happy that dogs like Mogie are there to make them feel better. But then sad and happy when the kids feel better and have to leave Mogie to go back to their home.
This book to bring awareness to your students about other kids who are not like the other kids. It also shows that dogs have an important role in places like a family and should be treated as such.
This book makes you feel so many emotions all at once. You are sad to learn that kids like Gage have to go to the special home because they get sick. You feel happy that dogs like Mogie are there to make them feel better. But then sad and happy when the kids feel better and have to leave Mogie to go back to their home.
This book to bring awareness to your students about other kids who are not like the other kids. It also shows that dogs have an important role in places like a family and should be treated as such.
March 25, 2025
Writing: 3/5
Art: 2/5
Family friendly values: High! Compassion for those who are suffering.
Overview: Mogie is an emotional support animal who lives at a Ronald McDonald House. The story shows how he got there and follows him as he brings hope to a discouraged boy who is staying there. This is such a sweet book that shows the importance of compassion for those who are sick. The writing and illustrations weren't as engaging and compelling as they could have been. Although I found it touching, my kids, 3.5 and 5, did not ask to read this book again.
Art: 2/5
Family friendly values: High! Compassion for those who are suffering.
Overview: Mogie is an emotional support animal who lives at a Ronald McDonald House. The story shows how he got there and follows him as he brings hope to a discouraged boy who is staying there. This is such a sweet book that shows the importance of compassion for those who are sick. The writing and illustrations weren't as engaging and compelling as they could have been. Although I found it touching, my kids, 3.5 and 5, did not ask to read this book again.
January 10, 2017
Unlike his sibling pups who become service dogs, search and rescue dogs, and show dogs, Mogie's rambunctiousness is better served helping children and their families at a Ronald McDonald House in Houston. This delightful story of Mogie, a dog with real mojo, helps children understand that we all can use our talents in different ways. It also helps kids to understand the hard world of a child with a serious illness who must use the services of a Ronald McDonald House.
March 15, 2018
Mogie is a Good Dog, he's just not good at focusing. Wants to help! Wants to help! Wants to help!
Washes out of Search and Rescue training.
Washes out of Service Dog training.
Washes out of Show Dog training.
Everyone is about to give up, when Mogie breaks one more rule and barges into the Ronald McDonald house, (where no dogs allowed), finds a sad boy and decides THIS is how he's going to help. He is going to be this boy's friend. And he does NOT wash out of THAT job.
Washes out of Search and Rescue training.
Washes out of Service Dog training.
Washes out of Show Dog training.
Everyone is about to give up, when Mogie breaks one more rule and barges into the Ronald McDonald house, (where no dogs allowed), finds a sad boy and decides THIS is how he's going to help. He is going to be this boy's friend. And he does NOT wash out of THAT job.
September 18, 2025
This is such a heartwarming story! I would definitely recommend this book to any elementary aged classroom. It tells an adorable story about a puppy who didn't do well with the traditional jobs, but was the best at helping kids. This book would teach kids about how even though you may not be the best at one, two, or even three things, everyone has something that they are amazing at. It also teaches them that they could use their skills and gifts to make a difference on the world.
July 1, 2023
Mogie was a ball-chasing, tail-wagging, moon-howling pup.
He flunked out of several jobs, including training as a service dog. But Mogie was all heart, and he found his place at a Ronald McDonald House, where he helped former athlete, Gage to make a recovery.
FIVE STARS for this inspiring story.
THANK YOU, author Kathi Appelt and artist Marc Rosenthal.
He flunked out of several jobs, including training as a service dog. But Mogie was all heart, and he found his place at a Ronald McDonald House, where he helped former athlete, Gage to make a recovery.
FIVE STARS for this inspiring story.
THANK YOU, author Kathi Appelt and artist Marc Rosenthal.
October 10, 2017
Love this book!! It is about a dog who helps kids and families who live in the Ronald McDonald house. His name is Mogie and he is so sweet and helpful to the children in the house. Based on a true puppy named Mogie!!
September 20, 2019
Sweet little story. This was my 5-year-old's first pick from his school library, proving he has great taste and as such will probably always have a special place in my mama heart. Likely picked because it was early in the alphabet, we enjoyed sharing this sweet story together.
November 6, 2019
Effective and charming if you're interested, but I don't know if it has universal appeal. Mogie is a real dog though, so there's the added appeal of a true story behind the heartwarming picture-book.
September 24, 2020
The story of the pup that failed training as a service dog, a show dog, and a search and rescue dog, but turned out to be the perfect dog for the Ronald McDonald House in Houston. There, Mogie enjoys playing and just being with the kids.
May 17, 2017
Get your tissues...
August 30, 2017
Clever story about the dog, Mogie, who found his way to a Ronald McDonald house and encouraged the kids to get better.
September 7, 2017
A dog that doesn't quite fit in with "typical" working dog positions finds that he can read kids and give them exactly what they need at the Ronald McDonald house for sick or injured kids.
November 6, 2017
Fantastic story about the healing powers of a dog's love!
June 1, 2018
A neighborhood dog has a gift for helping and healing sick kids
January 17, 2019
mom was in tears by the end of this book. It is very sweet though and we all enjoyed it.
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August 19, 2019great book for a kids to read
November 14, 2019
This book was so sweet! It had awesome illustrations and a charming story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews