What is Charlie Doing?

by Joy Anna, Noah Warnes (Illustrator)

You're going to fall in love with Charlie, the Golden Doodle. He has human eyes, he is so big, he looks so cuddly, he has a man bun to keep his long bangs out of his eyes most of the time, and his hair is so soft and so FLUFFY. But wait, is that a red vest he is wearing? What does that vest Charlie is wearing stand for? Does that red color mean stop? What does that Red Vest tell everyone that sees it? What is Charlie doing?This is the first book to teach children everywhere about Charlie and his job as a service dog. How much a service dog trains for his job. Why it is vital that children let the service animal do their job. Why you should not touch or distract them. Let the children everywhere fall in love with Charlie while they learn the very important lesson about the life-saving job of a service dog.

Genres: Childrens

Kindle Edition

First published August 17, 2021

About the author

Joyanna Grinnell-Diaz is a consultant, author, and executive whose stores of energy seem endless at times. She is also a survivor and a woman of tremendous faith. Valuing serving others above all else, she turns to her quiet time for frequent solace and inspiration. Her favorite day of the week is Monday, and her least favorite day of the week is Friday. She is decidedly unique, and in her writing, her uniqueness shines through. A graduate of UNLV, she has just published her first book with book two coming soon. She resides in a warm house, with a loving family and a dog named Charlie.

Reviews

[Blaine DeSantis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, this is a charming book about a Service Dog named Charlie. He is a Goldendoodle and has been trained to assist his owner, Joy. Charlie can detect over 100,000 different scents and can also tell which are good scents and which are potentially harmful to Joy. Just a wonderful book about a cute dog who has lots of tasks to master to help his master and why it is necessary to avoid petting or playing with Charlie while he is on a leash and wearing his service vest. Super good book for kids with enjoyable illustrations!

[Dana A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story about Charlie the Goldendoodle who is a service dog for his 'human', Joy. I did indeed fall in love with Charlie and learned a few things myself about service dogs. The illustrations were amazing and this book was just so inspirational! Thank you Joy Anna for sharing Charlie with us!!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I highly recommend this book for children and librarians in search of a positive and inspiring read for the kiddos in their community!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was SO. CUTE. It also has a very important message to tell. The artwork is adorable and it explains in a way that little ones will be able to understand about "working dogs" in public. Why they can't be pet when they are in public, why they wear the little red vest and how their humans rely on them to be focused on their job.

4, highly recommended for little ones, stars.

My thanks to NetGalley and BookGoSocial for an eARC of this book to read and review.

[Srivalli Hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

What is Charlie Doing is a little book for kiddos to learn more about service dogs and their importance. The writing is super simple and easy for little ones to understand. The text size is big and nice to read. The illustrations go perfectly hand in hand with the text and highlight the sensory details such as the types of scent and their impact on Charlie’s human.

The book explains why it is vital to not touch service dogs when they are working (wearing cute little vests). The author uses her personal story to write this book, and that gives it a warm and assuring feel.

Overall, What is Charlie Doing is a good way to answer kiddos’ questions about service dogs.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and BooksGoSocial and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#WhatisCharlieDoing #NetGalley

[thewoollygeek (tea, cake, crochet & books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story about Charlie, who is a service dog. It’s got gorgeous illustrations which draw you in and the story teaches important lessons to children about service dogs, about how they may be cute but if they’re working to leave them to do their job. A great story with a needed message, beautifully told and illustrated

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is Charlie Doing is a sweet book about Goldendoodle Charlie and how he came to be a service dog for his person, Joy. Charlie was born as a special dog in his litter, both the only chocolate doodle & the one with a special nose. Training this nose allows him to be a support animal for Joy and allows him to help take care of her.

I loved this book. It was very sweet and the illustrations were beautiful. I loved the colors. This book has minimal words (and the font size is easy to read), so it can definitely appeal to children of all ages. Charlie works through all of the scents he recognizes, which is helpful for detecting danger with his human, and I think this could also be helpful with helping children work through their emotions. I also loved the education about service dogs and how it’s not helpful to pet them, despite wanting to, because it can harm the work they are doing for their masters.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy. This was a very cute book.

[MookNana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautifully illustrated, engaging book introducing the concept of service animals to young kids. Telling the story from the dog's point of view will help in keeping kids interested and attentive.

The book explained what the dog was trained to do and other skills and behaviors it had to learn to work as a service animal in kid-friendly terms. The description of the dog's function was a bit vague, so I finished the story still not entirely sure what a "scary scent" was and what exactly the dog did. I'd expect the kids to have similar questions.

Overall, though, it's a great overview for young readers about how valuable service animals are and how important it is not to interfere with their work.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

[Selena · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is Charlie Doing is a great introduction for younger children to Service Dogs and the job they can do for their people. It is not very detailed but can be a great way to start a lesson on people with other abilities and tools they can have to help them.

The book is told from the viewpoint of Charlie and we begin with his birth family and that he is the only brown dog as well as the biggest in his litter. He tells the reader that he learns to do simple tasks, such as going up stairs and how to ride in a car with a seatbelt. He also tells the reader he has time he is working, when this happens he can not be touched or it will distract him. He does have time off and is like any other dog.

I enjoyed this book and plan to share it with my students. I was given the opportunity to read this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlie is like many other dogs we know. Lots of siblings in his litter. One difference: he is trained to use his unique nose which leads him to be a service dog.
This is a delightful book with adorable illustrations. It explains why you shouldn’t pet a service dog who is wearing his vest.
Children will enjoy this book.
Recommendation: the person that reads the book to them needs to be prepared to explain different types of scents: angry, sad, fear, surprise and scary. Some children may develop a fear “What are scary scents? Should I be afraid?”

[Michelle (around - catching up!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just gorgeous, it tells the story of Charlie the service dog and all the incredible ways he helps his human with every day life. The story not only tells us how important Charlie's job is, but that he is happy and loved. There's an emphasis on how important it is not to approach a working dog, because their human's life depends on having the dog's whole attention. The illustrations in the book are beautiful, I love how What is Charlie Doing? is a collaboration between mum and son. It would have been nice if the author had mentioned why she uses a service dog.

[Muskan Modi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlie is such a cute doggo!

Charlie is a service dog and this is the story of his day-to-day life. He has a strong sense of smell and intuition, which he uses to protect his human and do his duty.

Charlie has adapted to his life as a service dog with his human, and he is happy in it. I love how this book also teaches a lesson that you shouldn't touch or pet a service dog because that will interfere with his duty.

The book is beautiful and the story is nice. Illustrations are eye-catching and mesmerizing. This will be a great read for kids.

[Emma book blogger Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is lovely book about Charlie the dog that tells you about his life and talks sbout him being a service job . I think this book will be really interesting and useful to children so they can understand what service dog does and about not stroking them when they see them with there vest on. The illustrations are lovely snd it’s really simple book that I think children will enjoy to read.
Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this book.

[Molly Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can you not fall in love with Charlie? This colourful picture book about Charlie the service dog helps teach kids about how service dogs are trained, what their job involves, and how we should treat service dogs when we see them in public spaces. This is a great book for teachers or librarians to use as an introduction to service dogs and why some people use service dogs. The artwork is absolutely adorable.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[AnneKR · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful, nicely illustrated children's book about the life of a service animal. By understanding the incredible job Charlie must do for his human, it's important for others to not touch him when they see his red vest on. This is a good book to read to children so they are aware and respect these animals when doing their job.

Thank you Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for the opportunity to read this book.

[Victoria Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is Charlie Doing is a lovely story of Charlie the Goldendoodle who works as a service dog helping his owner. It tells how he had to learn new things in order to keep his owner safe.
It has lovely illustrations to go with the story and will appeal to young children as they learn what a service dog is.

Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for my ARC.

[Elisa Morse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlie is a loveable, cheeky golden doodle with very important job. Helping his human to keep safe and navigating the big world together, Joy Anna has written a tale featuring the responsibilities of a service dog from its point of view. Clear, simple text and beautiful illustrations will appeal to young children and help them understand how to help service dogs at work.

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet book is relatable, educational and adorable! Children (adults, too) learn about Charlie’s mission in life. The beautiful full page illustrations capture the words in picture form.
After reading this gem, the next time a “red vest” is spotted, “we” know what to do! Grab a copy!

[Sheila Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always respected the importance of service dogs but I've never thought about the importance of children understanding their purpose before they meet them in public. This picture book assists in that explanation and could open the door for more in depth conversations.

[April Oharah Hernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charlie is an adorable Goldendoodle with a very special job. He is a service dog. This is a cute and informative story with lots of illustrations of Charlie.

[Renee Diaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Charlie

This is a sweet easy-reader about a lovable guide dog named Charlie is sure to be a hit by any child who reads it.

[dany books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very cozy reading, it's perfect for its audience, its light, and the artwork is beautiful. Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read it.

[Patricia Kaniasty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice story. Teaches kids about what service animals do. They can still be cute and cuddly but they have a job to do.

[Lailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just from the summary, I can tell this book is both heartwarming and important. Charlie sounds absolutely adorable, and the perfect guide for teaching children about the real work service dogs do.

[Amy Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is Charlie Doing is a quick, cute picture book that teaches children about service dogs and the importance of letting them do their work to keep their human safe. The book also tells why dogs make good service animals. The story and pictures are easy to understand and flow well together.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book for my honest opinion.

[my books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very cozy reading, it's perfect for its audience, its light, and the artwork is beautiful. Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read it.