Tuesday Takes Me There: The Healing Journey of a Veteran and his Service Dog

by Luis Carlos Montalván, Bret Witter (With), Dan Dion (Photographs)

From New York’s Staten Island Ferry to a double-decker bus in Washington, DC, a delightful service dog, named Tuesday, narrates this fun and exciting journey ― with his disabled veteran partner ― to a very special place.

Tuesday and Luis, an Iraq War veteran, must travel by boat, bus, train, horse, pedicab and more as they race from New York City to the countryside outside the nation's capitol for an important event. Along the way, they see many famous sites, share hilarious and touching adventures, and show young readers (along with their teachers and parents) how trained service dogs help people with disabilities. Full of beautiful photos of this loveable Golden Retriever and his best friend, Tuesday Takes Me There continues the bestselling true story of a wounded veteran and the dog that saved him.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Military Fiction, Dogs, Childrens, Animals, Juvenile

48 pages, Hardcover

First published June 14, 2016

About the author

LUIS CARLOS MONTALVÁN is an award-winning New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and advocate. TUESDAY is Montalván's beloved service dog and the recipient of the American Kennel Club (AKC) Humane Fund Award for Canine Excellence (ACE) - Service Dog.

A 17-year veteran of the U.S. Army, Captain Montalván served multiple tours abroad and was decorated with numerous awards including two Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal for Valor, and the Combat Action Badge. In 2007, Capt. Montalván honorably departed the military and in 2010 completed a master's of science from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism.

Recently, Montalván's inspirational memoir won the 2012 USA Best Book Award in the Autobiography/Memoir & Audiobook Non-fiction categories. He was a finalist for a 2012 APA Audie Award beside four other nominees including Tina Fey and Michael Moore. Until Tuesday was also a 2012 International Latino Book Awards finalist. Luis is the recipient of a 2011 Voice Award and the 2011 Invisible Hero Honors Award for his efforts to educate the public about trauma and the real experiences of veterans and people with disabilities.

Montalván is a vocal advocate. His work has been published in outlets including The New York Times, Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle and Military Review, and regularly appears on local, national, and global media. Among the outlets that he and Tuesday have been featured on are NPR, CNN, National Geographic and The Late Show with David Letterman.

Tuesday Tucks Me In, their first children's book (Macmillan), was selected by Amazon.com as the "Best Nonfiction Children's Book of 2014." Most recently, the Children's Book Council (CBC) and the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) selected Tuesday Tucks Me In a "2015 Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People."

Luis & Tuesday frequently lecture and offer dynamic programs about their work and are advocating extensively during travel this year.

For more information, please visit www.until-tuesday.com or www.tuesdaytucksmein.com

Reviews

[Mischenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

To see this review and to learn more about Luis & Tuesday, please visit www.readrantrockandroll.com

I was delighted to read Tuesday Takes Me There this morning. This is the last book I’ve read on Luis and Tuesday. The story is about a trip that Luis and his service dog Tuesday take around New York and beyond. On the trip, they visit different landmarks and places in New York. They take different modes of transportation and Tuesday loves every minute. Finally they take a stroll through the countryside where Tuesday can have some fun just being a dog.

The photography is beautiful and it’s written perfectly for young readers. I liked the little facts pertaining to each place they visit. It offers even more educational value to the book.

5*****

[Diana Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him, Tuesday Tucks Me In: The Loyal Bond between a Soldier and his Service Dog, and now "Tuesday Takes Me There." I found all of Luis Montalván's books to be so incredibly touching, thought-provoking, educational, and profound--yes, I mean the children's books, too. I am a librarian who serves kids, adults, and teens. A highlight of my career was Luis Montalván and Tuesday's visit to my library to read "Tuesday Tucks Me In." We had a great turnout, and so many appreciative and grateful comments from patrons who felt truly inspired.

I highly recommend all of Mr. Montalván's books to my patrons. In fact, "Tuesday Tucks Me In" has become one of my favorites for storytime. Now, "Tuesday Takes Me In" has also become a storytime favorite for me and my patrons (both young and young at heart). "Tuesday Takes Me There" is delightful. I highly encourage you to grab a copy of this engaging book and join Luis and Tuesday on their adventurous journey as they see historic locales and monuments on their way to THE most important place. (No spoiler alerts here!) Kids will learn so much about these special places. I really found this to be a one-of-a kind book with gorgeous, emotive, and inspirational pictures. I pre-ordered my copies a while ago, and I've been looking forward to their arrival. I can honestly say that (based on Luis and Tuesday's previous books) I knew the book would be terrific, but it surpassed my expectations. I cried when I read it, and so did a colleague because we were so moved and inspired.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful and important book that highlights the very special bond that a former U.S. Army Captain, who has PTSD from his experiences serving in Iraq, has with his service dog. In addition, the book introduces children to important places and monuments in our country like the Freedom Tower and the Arlington National Cemetery. There are so few children's books that deal with soldiers, the military, and PTSD from which so many of our service men and women suffer. This book, like Montalvan's first children's book, addressed these very important topics in a way that is understandable for children. Furthermore, the sadness of this topic is beautifully tempered by the gorgeous photographs of Luis and his dog, Tuesday. Humor and a light tone in many parts of the book help to soften a difficult topic. Very well done! I had the pleasure of meeting Luis and Tuesday when they visited my public library and gave a talk. They are truly inspirational!

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book for children, and adults alike! The author does a great job of sharing what it's like to live and work with a service dog by explaining how Tuesday helps him travel around. The photographs are fantastic and really help tell the story. In addition to just being a great book, this also would be a great book for schools or libraries to use for special themed storytimes or programs. There aren't that many books out there for kids that talk about what a service dog does, so this is a unique gem!

[Jeannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let Tuesday Take You There!
Tuesday Takes Me There is a fun and educational journey of a Veteran and his beloved Service dog, Tuesday! Another brilliant and vibrant piece by Luis Carlos Montalván! Bravo! Thank you Luis Carlos Montalván, Bret Witter, and Dan Dion for another wonderful and inspiring book!

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love someone with PTSD, read this book. If you love dogs, read this book. This is an excellent book to help explain the role of service dogs to children. (Some adults need the education as well.) The photographs are gorgeous. I particularly like how the photographer captured the bond between Luis and Tuesday. Take some time to read this, and then share it with a friend.

[Darby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luis Carlos Montalvan and Tuesday have invited their readers to accompany them on a journey using various means of transportation. It's a fun read and guaranteed to bring a smile to the face of all ages.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book, fantastic photos, great story!! Can't wait to share with our students during our R.E.A.D (reading education assistance dog) program. They are going to love it!!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tuesday Takes Me There is a very well written book. Children of all ages will love it.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luis Carlos Montalván has written a new book that will educate, entertain, and inspire each reader. In Tuesday Takes Me There, we are first greeted by the beautiful image of Luis' service dog, Tuesday, as he and Luis prepare for a day of traveling. With each turn of the page, readers are taken on a very meaningful journey, learning how Tuesday provides assistance to Luis. The stunning photographs clearly show the strong and loving relationship between this Army veteran and his service dog. The story, told from Tuesday's point of view, keeps us wondering where Luis and Tuesday are headed. Infographics that have been included throughout the book are an added bonus; these features allow us to learn more about the places Luis and Tuesday visit along their travel route. Readers will enjoy the visual beauty of each page along with the words that allow us, too, to travel...with the final destination being one that delights. Tuesday's narration of this healing journey makes the book endearing for readers of all ages. Without a doubt, Luis and Tuesday have created another book that will leave us hoping for the chance to meet these American heroes in person. Thank you, Luis and Tuesday, for being the light for so many with the tireless work you do to advocate and to inspire. We are privileged to be taken along on your healing journey.

[Elaine Deschamps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luis and Tuesday bring children's books to a new level. It's hard for me to explain my reaction to the book because it was so visceral. Each page tells an adventurous and poignant story, Tuesday as his service dog along every step. Luis and Tuesday travel through the magic of New York City and then to Washington DC. Luis and Tuesday beautifully weave experience, adventure, HISTORY, poetry, in this book you'll read more than twice. You'll read it again and take in the magic of how a service dog enlivens the day to day with Luis, who's changing the world, every step at a time, that inspires us all to take a step at a leap towards what we know is our truth.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fun, playful, touching, and informative book is for EVERYONE!! The story of Luis and his service dog, Tuesday-told through the eyes of this loving Golden Retriever-is such a special book that will put a smile on your face and will touch your heart. It's the perfect book for teachers, librarians, and families. It's full of fantastic photos of the special journey and bond between the two, and with informative facts of each place they visit. My family and I thoroughly enjoyed it and I know yours will too!!

[Judy Noon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pack your bags and get ready for an incredibly fun, learning, and loving experience. From Freedom Tower to Arlington National Cemetery, by horse-drawn carriage to train, together Luis and Tuesday take you with them on their special journey of healing and love to reach "the most important place of all." Beautifully written and photographed, Tuesday Takes Me There inspires and shares with young and old that remarkable bond between a soldier and his service dog. Five stars is not enough!

[Mary Teater · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book this week and I absolutely love it. It, along with the other books that Luis has written,
are wonderful and this book is great for children of all ages to read. Luis and Tuesday are such an inspiration to everyone and hope that Luis and Tuesday keep these wonderful books coming. The pictures are such amazing and love the story behind the pictures. It is a gentle introduction to children about disabled veterans and what they go through each day.

Mary Teater

[Jeannine Jennette · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book for both children and those of us children at heart. The book was informative and well written. There is a little history of buildings and locations where Luis and Tuesday visit so the children will understand both the mode of transportation used and the places they go. Made sure you read all of Capt. Montalván's books so you fully understand his journeys with Tuesday.

[Becky Kurtz · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome book! :-) With each page I smiled and smiled! :-) What a delightful book. Many books have touched my heart, but none so deeply as this special book! :-) I can't wait for our library patrons to check this book out and experience the warmth and joy it holds inside! :-)

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tuesday Takes Me There is another special children's book written by Luis Carlos Montalvan. Luis, a wounded war veteran, and his best friend and service dog, Tuesday, take us on a tour of places that he and Tuesday like to visit near their home in New York City and at locations in and around Washington, D.C. Luis suffers from PTSD and physical wounds as a result of serving in a war and he wants to show us just how important and life changing it is to himself and other wounded veterans to have a service dog like Tuesday in their lives. As Luis and Tuesday travel by many modes of transportation to their special places, Luis lets us know that in spite of the emotional and physical wounds he must cope with on a daily basis, the world is still an amazing and beautiful place.
This is such a sweet and gentle book that I know children and adults will love as Luis Carlos Montalvan adds another lovely gift to the literary world.

[J.D. Holman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author of this book died just over a week ago, and last night, I found this book waiting in a pile of school library books I needed to finish processing. It was difficult, but I just had to read it. Very touching. It's a great book about service dogs, but also about different modes of transportation.

Poor Tuesday. I feel so bad for him, to have lost his buddy.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brought tears to my eyes. A beautiful story with great photography. Who doesn't love seeing a happy Goldie at work and play? A very touching story about veteran Captain Luis Carlos Montalvān with PTSD and the dog that helps him as they journey to visit many places together.

[Joe Holman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very nice children's book to help kids understand all the places a service dog goes and how the service dog helps his person deal with all those places.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful continuation of Luis and Tuesday's lives. Heartbreaking to read now that he is gone and Tuesday is retired from service.
RIP Luis, you suffered so much.

[Ash Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

After completing Luis’s two novels about his life with Tuesday, I wanted to read the two children’s books about his and Tuesday’s adventures.

Problem was, when I looked it up, all of the libraries in my county only had one of the two books. So I felt pretty silly when I put an inter-library hold on “Tuesday Takes Me There”, which means that my library had to get it from a library outside of our network and sometimes even outside of our state, and I had to pay a shipping and handling fee of $2 when I picked it up. Again, picking up a children’s book for my personal reading pleasure via inter-library loan felt stupid. But I did it anyways.

And in the end, upon checking it out, sitting down in the library for 20 minutes to read it and then checking it back in, I’m actually very glad that I did! It was totally worth it even for just the pictures alone. Which is what I originally thought might be the case. Tuesday is just such a beautiful service dog.

“Tuesday Takes Me There” was a super cute read! Again, the pictures were adorable. I also loved the little fun-facts about historic places they visited / things they saw / that were pictured, etc too. That was a nice add-on for a children’s book. And the book ending with them at a library reading with children was also perfect.

The one thing this book did make me think about again, which I also thought several times when I was reading Luis’s two novels is - Why he chose to remain living in NYC with just him and Tuesday. The way he describes his PTSD & how difficult it was for him to have to take all of the various forms of public transportation and be crowded around so many people all of the time, etc always made it seem like such an odd choice to me out of all of the places you could live in America, to choose to remain in one of the most populated, claustrophobic, highest public transportation usage cities in the nation.

I honestly don’t mean that offensively to NYC or to Luis’s personal decisions at all! But after reading both novels and learning of his suicide, reading through this book specifically about their travels mostly around NYC, it came to the forefront of my mind again that that seemed like such an interesting choice to me for someone who felt the way he felt about how difficult his living alone with Tuesday in those situations was. Also, he could have had a whole lot more personal space for a whole lot less money in most other areas of the country as well. Just a thought I have always wondered...

Cute book though! Definitely worth the inter-library loan fee. Although someone really needs to add it to our local library system so that more children in our area can hopefully see / read about how Tuesday took Luis there.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

There isn't much of a plot here - just a series of charming warm photographs of Montalvan and his sweet service dog, Tuesday going places in a variety of forms of transportation. That really isn't an issue though as an overall story of the love between these two and the life-saving role of a service dog comes through strongly. I think kids will love this.

Tuesday's voice is nicely done. If a golden retriever could talk I think he/she would sound like this ;-)

[CaliNativeBalboa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Join Tuesday the service dog and Luis, his serviceman friend on a journey from New York City to Washington DC. Beautifully photographed and compassionately portrayed, kids learn about famous landmarks in these iconic cities and gain understanding into PTSD and service animals.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these books about Former Captain Montalvan and his service dog Tuesday, and I especially love that he dedicated this book to teachers and librarians. Thank you Captain Montalvan for your service to our country and your continued service to our children and communities.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Join Luis, a disabled veteran, and his service dog, Tuesday as they travel by bus, train, helicopter and more to an important event. Based on the true story of a wounded veteran and the dog that saved him.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sequel to Tuesday Tucks Me In. A service dog helps a veteran with PTSD visit famous sites in NYC and Washington DC. They employ various forms of transportation--use for pre/K transportation unit. Also tie-in with Veteran's Day, and learning about tourist destinations in New York and Washington DC.

[Carol Whitener · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must Read: Provides Doors to Learning and a Great Service

"Tuesday Takes Me There" is a very professionally done book that I recommend especially for children. Adults who still have a big kid in them; anyone who enjoys opening the doorways of learning; and those who like to remember, honor and show respect to those who have given so much that we could have life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness would also enjoy this book. This journey is delightful and meaningful. I so enjoyed encountering all the people, places, and the working horse that Luis and Tuesday meet traveling to the special place that is their mission in this book. My heart was warmed seeing the smiling faces when they arrive at their mission. Luis and Tuesday visit many interesting and historical places that enable one to wonder with amazement, enjoy beauty, smile and laugh, and show respect for people who have served and died in war and cared deeply about our nation and others.

"Tuesday Takes Me There" is very interactive with Tuesday asking questions, such as, “Can you see us?” Tuesday asks that question at a place they were visiting as the view made them look very small. I had fun finding them. I so enjoyed seeing Tuesday play in nature when they visited the countryside. The photography is so vivid and extraordinary all throughout the book. The interaction between Luis and Tuesday warms your heart.

Having been an elementary teacher for many years and still a teacher at heart, I see so many ways to incorporate so many important values and lessons, such as, patriotism, thankfulness, honor, kindness, forgiveness, unconditional love, and perseverance. "Tuesday Takes Me There" also fosters love for reading and learning. It also provides ways to teach phonics, language, history, math, art; and so much more. There are ample sight words, blends, easy short and long vowel words, compound words, rhyming words, and contractions and larger syllable words. Young children can count the modes of transportation. Older children could also draw pictures of them on an index card or paper and then write the word on the other side for use as flash cards for learning how to spell the words. My students often used index cards in a variety of ways such as making two of each word and playing a version of a concentration memory game. Children can write interrogative, exclamatory, imperative, and declarative sentences about the book. Tuesday sure likes to use interrogative and exclamatory sentences! "Tuesday Takes Me There" might even inspire a child or an adult to write a book telling of their own journeys in their city or places they visit and what they see along the way; or they might write about people, animals, and places they are thankful for in their life. It could also provide an opportunity for children and adults to express and share their emotions. Luis and Tuesday share emotions they feel inside their hearts when they visit Arlington National Cemetery. I like that they say a prayer, too. Lastly, I believe this book accomplishes Luis' and Tuesday’s mission to educate people how trained service dogs help people with disabilities. This is a mission that brightens and improves the quality of many lives! I highly recommend you join this journey and share it with others.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you haven't read the author's previous children's book, Tuesday Tucks Me In, order it right now. If you have read it, then you will certainly want this newest book for children. Filled with photographs and text that explains what's happening in the photographs without detracting from the story, veteran Luis Montalvan and his service dog, Tuesday, bring readers into their lives by showing them what a typical day is like. The two friends travel by many different means as they make their way from Staten Island to Manhattan and all across New York City, and then on to Washington, DC, and then to Maryland for a visit to a local library. While the story is written from the point of view of Tuesday, it is easy to see the trust and affection between Tuesday and Luis as they embrace new experiences and navigate busy streets. Readers have a chance to observe how Tuesday helps Luis cope with his PTSD from his time in Iraq. I liked how their journey is cast as a mission, as is appropriate for a former military man and his animal companion, and the photos of Luis and Tuesday sharing their story--captured in the previous picture book--with a captive audience. This gentle glimpse into their world serves as a vivid reminder of the consequences of war while also offering hope for the future and teaching others about disabilities such as PTSD. May their partnership and mission be long-lasting and fruitful! Readers are guaranteed to be captivated from the very first page with Tuesday's face greeting them. Thank you so much, Luis and Tuesday, for sharing this important story with the rest of us.

[Margaret]

The first time you saw the puppy, you knew your life would change in more ways than you ever would have thought possible regardless of how many dogs have been in your life. The energy, the looks, the intense pauses to listen, and the nose constantly in the air or to the ground sensing messages in each experience are new every single time. Puppies and adult dogs have personalities as varied as humans, but one thing is certain, their love is unconditional and unbreakable.

By their very nature canines bring certain attributes into a relationship. Their heightened senses, especially their hearing and smelling, are invaluable. When dogs have been trained in addition to their already remarkable characteristics, the attachment they form with their human is close to miraculous. Readers first met an extraordinary Golden retriever in Tuesday Tucks Me In: The Loyal Bond between a Soldier and His Service Dog (Roaring Brook Press, May 27, 2014). Authors Luis Carlos Montalvan, former Captain USA and Bret Witter and photographer Dan Dion collaborate again to give readers Tuesday Takes Me There: The Healing Journey of a Veteran and his Service Dog (Post Hill Press, June 14, 2016).

My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...