Books published by publisher Dorrance

Brandy the pit bull is no ordinary dog. From the moment she was adopted, her owner knew she was special, though he didn't understand just how special she was at first. For, you see, Brandy doesn't age like ordinary dogs: she ages like a human. And thanks to this wonderful gift, they get to spend their entire lives together from going away to college and getting a job to getting married and starting a family, and everything in between! About the Author Phillip P. Martinez is a married, Christian man, an animal lover, and a member of PETA. As an animal lover, Martinez understands that every pet owner dreads the day that they have to say goodbye to their beloved pet, which is the hardest part of being so close to something with a short lifespan. He often pondered how great it would be if pets aged like humans: you could keep your best friend for life! Martinez was raised by a single mom and has four sisters. Growing up, they always had a lot of pets hamsters, fish, birds, cats, and dogs! In particular, Martinez has always been close to his dogs who would always cheer him up with their unconditional love.

In Sydney Pruitt-Fraser's Can You Believe, 3 Generations Live In The Same Apartment?, she portrays generational living, giving and providing love and developmentally appropriate experiences to children despite the makeup of the accepted father/mother traditional family setting. Douglas is the author's first grandchild, and if she had to provide a home for her daughter and grandson, she was prepared to do so. Her living environment included then the care of her own mother and daughters, Brett and Hope. They enjoyed providing for and loving Douglas and he knew it. There are many different kinds of family settings. The important element in any is to let there be love. Sydney Pruitt-Fraser's intentions are to write two more books on the experiences of her grandson growing up in New York City. About the Author Sydney Pruitt-Fraser is a retired Early Childhood Education Consultant from the Department of Health, Bureau of Daycare in the city of New York. She has extensive experience in early childhood education, supervision, training and evaluation. Sydney Pruitt-Fraser is now an independent consultant for many infant and preschool Head Start programs.

Mary Martha Merta is a kind-hearted lady who enjoys the simple things in life. She sees the beauty in the world around her and is willing to share if you are willing to listen. This book is intended to inspire children (and their elders) to explore their own worlds, seeking beauty and adventure. About the Author The author comes from a family of natural-born poets who love to make things rhyme off the cuff. Her internal rhythm requires her to be in time with the music, even if it is in the grocery store. She has worked in the hospital setting as a respiratory therapist for more than thirty years. She was sitting in the cafeteria of Helen Devos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids, Michigan, when she was inspired to write Mary Martha Merta.

Someone has been stealing Charlie the bear's cookies. Each day he bakes five cookies, then settles down for a nap. But lately he's woken up to find that he has only four cookies left! Charlie hatches a plan to catch the thief and make sure his cookies are never stolen again. But Charlie slowly comes to realize there might be a better way to deal with the problem. Join Charlie and his new friend in this delightful tale of forgiveness and sharing. About the Author A current resident of Arvada, Colorado, Christopher M. Sandoval has lived in the Denver area for most of his life. A teacher, he is a graduate of Adams State College. He is married with two adult sons. He enjoys riding bikes, reading, and hiking in the Rocky Mountains. About the Illustrator Daniel Gallegos is an educator, a veteran, and a native of Denver, Colorado.

Mr. Fluff Bottom is an extra fluffy kitten with a "bodacious bottom" who finds himself separated from his family when a woman named Mattie takes him home. He's happy with Mattie and her husband, George, but one day George leaves and Mattie becomes very sad. Soon Mr. Fluff Bottom begins to make friends with other cats in the neighborhood. With his new feline friends, he embarks on a furrific adventure to find his brother and sister. He finds plenty of surprises along the way--including a special surprise for Mattie. About the Author Anita Ann Meyers was born in Germany in the 1960s and immigrated to the U.S. when she was only six months old. She was raised in Northern California then attended the University of Nevada: Las Vegas, graduating from a nursing program in 1985. She is an only child, has lived in four states, and has traveled all over North America, Germany, and Australia. In 2000, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and for the last fourteen years she has managed her mother's second-hand store in Nevada. She takes many treks with her dogs through Death Valley. Her mantra is "Bloom where you're planted!"

A Dog Named Bird is the story of a Golden Retriever named Bird and her journey finding her forever home. It is the second book of a series of rhyming picture books. The first book is titled Scooter and His Scoot Scoot. Both books focus on empathy, understanding and accepting differences, and overcoming obstacles. This book shows the impact of unconditional love, and the importance of fostering and adoption. Bird is a great role model for never giving up and having a positive outlook on life. The story not only shows that this family provided a home and love for Bird, but it also shows how much love Bird gave to her new family. About the Author Annie Streit is a graduate of Ball State University with a degree in Social Studies Education, and has a love for working with children of all ages, animals, and writing. She has been wheelchair bound since May of 2005 due to a diving accident, and being an advocate for those with disabilities has become a passion of hers. She has spoken to many groups about her accident, overcoming obstacles, and navigating through life in a wheelchair. Her children's books have provided an outlet to help educate children on the importance of acceptance, understanding differences, and empathy. Streit currently resides in Noblesville, Indiana, and works for a youth development program.

Jett is a very messy boy--he has spaghetti up his nose and in his hair! This delightful children's book shows a little boy enjoying his favorite meal and playing with his grandparents, who eventually give him a much needed bath! About the Author Shelly Gonzalez AKA Mammie recently retired after 33 years of hard work. Her family is her life and her inspiration. Since she enjoys reading and especially reading to her grandson, Jett, she felt inspired to write this children's book. When she's not working on books, Shelly also loves going to the beach and camping with family and friends.

Rebecca and her brother JJ are so excited! Summer has just begun, and they can't wait to find out where their family is going on their yearly trip! Rebecca's Adventure: The Enchanted Seashells is a magical tale that takes a little girl and her best friend on a wonderful experience. This book will bring joy and smiles to those who read it and remind them that helping others is a very good feeling, whether it is a person or animal. We all need to be open-minded to believe when something may seem unbelievable; compromise with loved ones and friends will make us strong and caring people. About the Author Diana Johnson Narod was born in 1953 and raised in Brooklyn, New York. She now resides in Long Island, New York, with her husband, Jeff. They are grandparents to nine grandchildren. A newly published author, Diana always had a passion for writing but could never afford to go to college and take journalism, so this is, in fact, a dream come true for her.

Genny is a smart, sweet, and gentle retriever/pit bull mix who has found her forever home! She finds joy in playful days by the river, joined by her family and friends. About the Author Kris Forehand is an English teacher, writer, artist, and photographer. She, her husband, and two children, currently live in Virginia, where she rescues animals, great and small. A passionate animal lover with many pets of her own, Forehand's writing often features animals as the main characters. She believes that all animals have distinct voices that many people do not hear, and she enjoys bringing those voices to life.

Snick was in his family for years before a baby boy was born, and now that he's here, baby and Snick are inseparable! Snick is present for almost everything that goes on during the child's day and the bond they share is like no other. No longer just "man's best friend" but "baby's best friend," Snick is this child's first loving and constant companion. About the Author Sharon Daniels is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati with her degree in child development. She always loved reading stories to children--especially her own grandchildren--so writing a book for kids was only natural! Daniels has three sons whom she raised in South Florida. All of them were good students and now are successful businessmen and excellent fathers. Daniels is a professional comedian/impressionist and singer. She writes poetry for all occasions and also works as a lyricist. She's been professionally performing in South Florida and theaters around the country for over thirty years. My First Best Friend is based on her first-born grandson's relationship with his dog, Snickers.