Books with author Patti Rey

This true tale thrills children with the sounds of celebration as a family recognizes Zeus’ amazing feats. Cup your hands around your mouth or use an empty paper towel roll to make your own megaphone to cheer the dog. Children will soon join in heralding the accomplishments of our “wonder” dog, and, hopefully, their pet at home. The poetic style allows little ones to hear rhyming patterns. Read it to your children and grandchildren; and let them read it back to you as they become young readers.

In this fictional story, two golden retrievers encounter a mystery in the forest. Alarmist Annie wants to vacate the woods, sure that the boulders have started a war with the trees for encroaching on their territory. Detective Drey, however, provides a voice of reason and examines the clues to discover the real culprits. Grab your magnifying glass and see if you can discover the forest’s secrets before Drey does!

This book provides an introduction to the names of horses by gender, role, and color, followed by a list of markings. The poetic style provides the reader an entertaining overview of this majestic animal. While this is aimed at a 4th grade reading level, readers of all ages have expressed personal enjoyment and an unexpected opportunity to widen their knowledge about horses.

Many human idioms refer to animal behaviors. Butting heads and locking antlers refer to sheep, deer, elk, and bovines, etc. who challenge one another with their powerful heads. Locking horns is an expression that means angrily asserting oneself and unwillingness to compromise. Sometimes, these animals battle to the death or stay entangled until they die. In this fictional story based on actual events, two elk, imbued in sibling rivalry, compete and lock their antlers. Fortunately, they get a second chance at life and realize they need to change their ways. Similarly, humans can choose to set their differences aside and get along and appreciate one another’s talents.

Although she is no ugly duckling, this fictional tale follows the thoughts of a horse who feels insignificant, plain, and ordinary – then moves into self-acceptance and appreciation of her own qualities. As she regards the beauty and skills of other horses, she wonders what it would be like to be that special. When she accidentally and unknowingly catches a glance of her own reflection, she admires the grace, intelligence, and beauty of the animal before her. Someone has to point out that she is the object of her admiration! She is that extraordinary horse in the mirror! This story helps children gain knowledge about horses while learning to recognize special qualities in others as well as themselves. The poetic style allows little ones to hear rhyming patterns. Read it to your children and grandchildren; and let them read it back to you as they become young readers.

This nearly true tale thrills children with one young cowboy’s journey from watching his dad win at rodeos to riding a sheep in a mutton-bustin’ competition. The boy’s determination carries him past obstacles like rain, cold, mud, not being able to see, nothing to grab ahold of, and hanging underneath the sheep. He learns that perseverance has its rewards. The poetic style allows little ones to hear rhyming patterns. Read it to your children and grandchildren; and let them read it back to you as they become young readers.