Children's Book Review: Stormin Norman the Soggy Doggy By Andy Allen

STORMIN NORMAN
THE SOGGY DOGGY

By: Andy Allen

Illustrated By: Brian Barber

Published: November 7, 2011

Publisher: Beavers Pond Press


I met author, Andy Allen at author event I attended a few weeks ago. You can read more about that event, HERE. We had a great chat and I really love his fabulous children's book.

Andy Allen wrote this book after his experience with his own dog during the Flood of 2008 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The floods were devastating to that city as well as many other towns in Iowa. He has taken this experience with his own dog and made it into a wonderful children's book that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

On the first sunny day after many days of rain, Andy and Norm went out for a walk. Their walk along the trail took them near a stream that was abnormally high after all the rain. Norm spied a stick in the water. Like any normal dog would, Norm went after the stick and ended up in the stream. Will Andy be able to save him?

This story shows the love between an owner and his pet. It shows how a normal day can turn into something quite unexpected. Most of all, it teaches a lesson about the danger of high waters. After reading it with your child, you can have a conversation about how important it is to stay away from flooded water.

Each page is written in rhyming scheme and makes it fun and lyrical. But, what I really love about the book is the illustrations. In my conversation with the author, he shared his pride in the pictures and how they depict the true feelings of Andy and Norm, as well as the beautiful Iowa landscape. Even the fish in the stream have expressions.

I am excited to say that there is more to come from Andy and Norm. Another book will be making its way onto bookshelves in the next few months. Stay tuned as I am planning to review Andy Allen's next adventure with Norm.

Andy Allen will forever be an Iowan at heart. He holds a B.S. in psychology and a Master’s Degree in early childhood education. Andy has been an elementary school teacher for nine years.  When he is not composing new rhymes for his Norm stories, Andy coaches basketball and enjoys a good crossword puzzle. He lives in Cedar Rapids with his wife Mary, two cats, Mila and Oscar and two dogs, Simon and of course Norman. For more on Andy Allen and his adventures with Norman, check out www.andyandnorm.com. You can also find Andy and Norm on Facebook, HERE. 

If you would like to purchase a copy of this book, click the photo below:

I will be linking this review up on Booking Mama's Kid Konnection. Every Saturday, you can find other great reviews of children's and YA books from other bloggers. Click HERE, to see all the Kid Konnection posts.