Mindy Kim and the Birthday Puppy

Mindy Kim #3

by Lyla Lee, Dung Ho Hanh (Illustrations)

Mindy Kim, a young Korean American girl wants a puppy for her birthday!

All Mindy Kim has ever wanted is a puppy of her very own. After all, having all the toy dog plushies in the world isn’t quite the same thing as a real one! She wants a dog to take on walks, teach tricks, and cuddle with. She knows she has what it takes to be the perfect pet owner, and she thinks a dog would be a perfect gift for her upcoming birthday.

But her dad isn’t so sure she’s ready for the big responsibility. Can Mindy prove to her dad that she can handle a new addition to the Kim household?

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Childrens, Asian American, Middle Grade, Dogs, Friendship

96 pages, Hardcover

First published June 9, 2020

About the author

Lyla Lee is the bestselling author of books for all ages. Inspired by her Korean heritage and love of pop culture, she writes cute and sometimes swoony stories that have been translated into multiple languages around the world. Originally from South Korea, she’s lived in various cities throughout the United States, worked in Hollywood, and studied Psychology and Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California. She now lives in Dallas, Texas. Visit Lyla at lylaleebooks.com or on social media (Kid lit: @literarylyla and adult romance: @authorlylalee).

Reviews

[CW ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

My baby girl Mindy is back in her third book and she has a PUPPY, Y'ALL!!!

Unsurprisingly, I found this so incredibly sweet. The Mindy Kim books are my comfort books - they are lovely, wholesome, gentle, and have the sweetest illustrations that bring Lyla's words to life. Moreover, I'm really invested in Mindy and her appa's life! I want them to find and have all the happiness in the world.

I also think this is the perfect book for young readers who want to get a pet or a dog! The book does a good job of showing that having a dog is a lot of hard work and responsibility, but it captures the joy of having a pet and new family member as well.

[Crystal ✬ Lost in Storyland · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Mindy Kim wants is a puppy of her own. Now that she is eight years old, she believes that she is grown-up and responsible enough for one. To her delight, her dad gives her a cute puppy, who she names Theodore. But she quickly learns that taking care of a puppy involves a lot of work: among other things, she needs to bathe him, house-train him, and teach him to walk on a leash. Her goal: to prove to her dad that she can handle the new responsibility and provide Theodore the loving home he deserves.

Since the book one, Mindy has been dreaming about a puppy of her own. So, it was a joy to see her wish come true. As a dog lover, I could relate to the hope and joy of getting my first dog. Taking care of a puppy is a lot of work, and I respect Mindy’s dedication to training Theodore. Fortunately, her babysitter, Eunice, has experience with dogs (she has an adorable Maltese named Oliver) and helps Mindy with the training process. Theodore’s experiences adjusting to a new home parallels Mindy’s experiences as a new kid (from book one). As Mindy helps Theodore adjust, and as she shares about Theodore with her class, it becomes clear how Mindy has made a place for herself in Florida. Mindy has grown: she is no longer the new kid or a girl dreaming of a puppy of her own. Now, she has friends, and her family has grown to include Theodore.

This book captures the hard work that goes into taking care of a puppy and the joys that make it worthwhile.

[Mila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mindy Kim is now officially eight. For her birthday everything seems pretty good UNTIL something even better happens. She hopes to get a puppy. She waits and waits until her dad comes back holding a little a puppy. Mindy loves puppies, and has always wanted one. But today, her dream has come true. But Mindy thinks training a puppy is pretty easy, but it's a little worse than she thought. Her dog, Theodore, is hard to calm down and is hyper and cries in the night. Mindy is determined to train Theodore. But when her father tells her that his girlfriend is coming over, Mindy is now officially MEGA determined to train her puppy. Mindy is training her dog constantly, and the pressure is going on between Theodore and her is getting a little bit overboard. Luckily, her friend, Eunice, is there to help. She has a dog, too, named Oliver. Just like Mindy, she got a dog when she was 8 years old. But now, she's in the teenager zone. Anyway, read til the end to see if Mindy can handle training Theodore...

[Karen Kline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mindy is about to turn eight and all she wants for her birthday is a puppy. She's not picky. Any breed will do! Suspense builds at the birthday party at the park with her dad and her classmates. She doesn't see any boxes that could be the right size for a dog.

Mindy started her day with a video call to her grandparents in Korea and a breakfast of seaweed soup, a Korean tradition. This book weaves in themes of culture while also lending a sensitive lens on a single-parent family. Many kids will relate to the dual cultures that Mindy navigates in the book, and plenty of kids will be introduced to the concept of a non-traditional family. This gentle story brings together many ideas in this early chapter book reader.

Mindy is elated when her dad does, in fact, surprise her with a puppy for her birthday. The book explores the ups-and-downs of training a puppy and being a responsible pet owner. Each chapter has a cheerful full page black-and-white illustration by Dung Ho that enhances the story and supports emerging readers.

[Chantal Aurora · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS WAS SO CUTE OMG THE PUPPY!!! I wish I had a puppy. I'm so happy Mindy finally has a puppy! The food descriptions are so amazing in this series but I also hate them for making me crave Korean food late at night in the middle of a pandemic when I can't have any Korean food. I need the next book so badly. This series brings me so much happiness.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mindy did her best to help the puppy who became a family as a birthday present.

I thought it was a good thing that Mindy was happy to draw a puppy instead of her mother during her art class. Thank you!

[Hyunhee Lim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Mindy Kim and the Birthday Puppy.
This cute story made me smile and brightened my day!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and my kid likes it too!!!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 7 year old says this is his favorite Mindy Kim book so far! He loved all the puppy details.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really adorable. I love Theodore. Can't wait to read the fourth book soon 😊😊😊

[dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it! Mindy's voice really shines through the book as she finally gets a dog & teaches him new tricks!

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute!

[Sonia Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admire the current trends in children's literature for its exploration of diverse characters, experimental narratives, and real-to-life subject matter. In reading the Mindy Kim series, I'm in awe of how Lyla Lee illustrates the richness of girlhood, friendship, family bonds, and Korean culture. In the latest book, Mindy Kim and the Birthday Puppy, Lyla Lee offers lessons for becoming a responsible pet owner. Mindy learns how to groom as well as train and reward her puppy with the basic commands. Readers will also appreciate the compassion and empathy Mindy extends to her puppy where she's able to channel his emotional reactions to meeting new people and other dogs through navigating different environments. The lessons that Mindy learns is not didactic, but flows effortlessly throughout the story.

As an engaged reader, I take great interest in exploring chapter books and middle-grade novels centered on girl protagonists of color who discover the joys and pitfalls of life, thus finding essential truths in bringing meaning to their lives.

[Anna Salvesen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yay! She finally got the puppy she's wanted for all of the other Mindy Kim books I've read.

[Allison Turkish · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was decently well-written and interesting. Kids will learn the difficulties of owning a puppy.

I read this book first before others in the series but think I'd like the others as well.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solidly sweet early chapter book. I didn't start with the first in the series, but even so I was able to gather a sense of Mindy, and a bit of her friends and family. The highlight here is of course, Theodore the puppy. The tiniest bit of uncertainty appears regarding whether or not Mindy will get her birthday puppy, but there is a frothy vibe to this story that means *of course* she gets her puppy.

Note: Mindy and her dad are Korean.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

The focus in the Mindy Kim series is being a light, low-stakes series (despite the dead mother plot point), so there really isn't much tension in this story about Mindy wanting a puppy for her birthday. She asks for one and... she gets one! Then she tries to train the puppy, is briefly discouraged, but manages to train him in what seems like a couple of weeks. I've never had a dog, so I am not really sure what training entails, but it does seem to be exceptionally easy in the book. On the other hand, I like that Mindy takes care of her pet by herself (which also seems quite rare for a 3rd grader?). This is such a lovely series for kids who like sweet, "gentle reads."

Gr. 2-3

[Abby Johnson]

This is a super cute early chapter book series about a Korean-American girl navigating a new life in a new state. With details about her Korean heritage and meat to the story as Mindy not only navigates a new school but life without her mom, this is a winning series perfect for fans of the Anna Banana books or Jasmine Toguchi.

[Bethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mindy turns 8 and it’s no surprise she finally receives her most wished for present: a puppy! More gentle fun as she trains Theodore in basic commands, with a demonstration for her dad and his new girlfriend. Still think she seems older than her age, doing fractions and decimals starts at 4th/5th grade at my school. Extra star for the puppy!

[Gyungsuk Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that the birthday puppy from Shelter were the perfect gift for Mindy on her first birthday without her mom.
I shed a little tears when Mindy draws a puppy instead of her mother during her family drawing time.

[Tom Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is third one of Mindy series that I red so far, it is hard to stop reading once started reading, Mindy shows responsibility as she owns a dog, and she is good trainer having patient, Good job, Mindy!

[Holly]

I <3 dogs and this series

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was super cute!!! Love Mindy and her dad.

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve finished reading all of the Mindy Kim books and OMG they were amazing!!!! Filled with adventure and friendship!!! Def read!!! Enjoy your day!

[Genres and Journals *Tia* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mindy’s dreams finally come true when she gets a puppy for her 8th birthday! Honestly this book was slightly stressful to me because training a puppy is hard work. But I think pet loving little girls will love it…maybe even think it is the best of the series so far…

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was still cute. I was a little less invested since I'm not really an animal person, but definitely appreciated seeing Mindy approach and overcome different obstacles as they came to her.

[Carly Shark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This realistic fiction chapter book titled Mindy Kim and the Birthday Puppy is a text that I read for my reading masters course, Survey of Youth Literature. It is book three in the series that features Mindy Kim, an eight-year-old Korean American girl. In this book Mindy Kim receives a shelter puppy for her birthday and names him Theodore after Teddy Roosevelt, the president she recently learned about in class. She quickly learns how much work goes into raising a puppy as she tries to potty train him, teach him basic tricks, take him on an adventure to the dog park, give him a bath, interact with other dogs, and reward him for good behavior. The book concludes with Mindy Kim and Theodore being tucked into bed by her dad as they admire the family portrait she drew of the three of them.

I was unable to find any kind of reward that Mindy Kim and the Birthday Puppy might have received. I appreciated the way the author, Lyla Lee, wrote the story as if an actual second grade girl was telling it. For instance, Lee begins chapter 2 by writing: “At school, Mrs. Potts gave me a cute balloon that said It’s My Birthday Today! I also got to wear a gold paper crown on my head. I felt so special!” I think readers would find the protagonist very relatable because they, too, have experienced celebrating their special day at school and the positive feeling it gave them. Additionally, they might relate to Mindy Kim’s experience with Theodore and how challenging and rewarding raising a puppy can be. Being born in South Korea, Lee is an “insider” author who includes the Korean culture in a natural, number of ways, such as how the girl’s grandparents sing her the Korean birthday song through a video call from Korea and the traditional birthday breakfast of seaweed soup that she eats. The author writes how the kids play Korean birthday games at the party and that the young girl watches Korean dramas with her babysitter. In one of the chapters Lee describes the Korean food (bulgogi and bibimbap) that the protagonist and her dad make together in great detail. The illustrator, Dung Ho, was born and raised in Hue, Vietnam, so she is also an “insider” who depicts the Korean culture accurately in her pencil illustrations, drawing the characters with almond-shaped eyes and dark black hair.

Mindy Kim and the Birthday Puppy is a 660 Lexile level so it is recommended for those reading at a guided reading level O near the end of third grade. Since the main character is in second grade, I think it would interest a younger audience and especially those who are interested in getting a new puppy as a pet. Reading this realistic fiction chapter book would create an opportunity for readers to make a text-to-self connection with their own experience of taking care of a new pet. Mindy Kim and the Birthday Puppy could be used to teach main ideas and details with a focus on all the things Mindy Kim did to take care of Theodore.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mindy is super excited for her 8th birthday. Not only is she having a party at the park after school with her friends, but she is pretty sure Dad is getting her a puppy from the shelter. But if she does get a puppy, will she be able to train it well enough that it won't be trouble and won't get Dad upset enough to send it back?

From the start, you are never really worried about Mindy's dad shipping this puppy back to the shelter. Mindy is just so excited about getting the puppy, she fears losing it a bit (and I don't know if this was intentional on Lyla Lee's part or not, but fear of loss is can be more pronounced in grieving kids and adults who have lost someone close). Watching Mindy go through the ups and downs of training a puppy and enjoying her new pet is at times humorous, and at times tender, and at other times instructional (she does a great job training this puppy, and describes some of the training well enough readers could mimic her actions). I love all the little Korean cultural things that the author includes. The food descriptions started making me hungry for Korean food. Highly recommended to lower grade readers who enjoy contemporary fiction and/or dog lovers.

No content issues.

[Dayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a while since I picked up the last MINDY KIM book but this was just as cute as I remember the last two books being. There were some moments that made me tear up a little, but I'm just an emotional mess sometimes.

I loved seeing Mindy come into her own with her brand new puppy. A couple of my best friends have a puppy and as I read Mindy's adventures (or misadventures), I thought of how difficult it was for my friends to parent a brand new puppy. This is a kid's book, so I'm not surprised Mindy was able to be so successful so quickly, but in reality, puppies are a lot more work than what was shown here. BUT this didn't take away from the story at all! I love that this could be a really great resource for littles who want a puppy, but need a further understanding of the responsibilities behind it.

And much like the last two books, there were some important topics explored here: how families might look, grief, multicultural traditions, and responsibilities one might take on.

Another great addition to the series and I'll hopefully be reading the next one soon!

Happy reading!

[Josh Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another story added to the Mindy Kim series, following her experience training her dog to make him worthy of sleeping in her room. My kids have really enjoyed each of these books and look forward to the next one.

In the background is the undercurrent of Mindy’s and her dad’s experience making a new life without her mom, who passed away before the first book began. The author had dealt with this topic very respectfully and I think opens up the floor for some good dialogue about this tough subject without letting it dominate the storyline.