Books
She's Roxanne! Book 1:
New Dog in School
New Dog in School is the first book in what will become a series of graphic novels for eight to 12 year olds. Roxanne suffers from anxiety and the night before her first day at a new school she lets that anxiety get the better of her. Here are some scenes from New Dog in School.
As both a classroom teacher and a parent of a soon-to-be 8-year-old, I appreciate the way New Dog in School tackles important social issues in a format that resonates with young readers. These themes are incredibly relevant, as many students experience similar struggles when adjusting to new environments.
One of the book’s strengths is its language. The playful and engaging vocabulary makes the dialogue feel natural and accessible to kids. The way Roxanne and her classmates communicate is authentic and kid-friendly. Additionally, the graphic novel format is a perfect choice for the target audience of older elementary and middle schoolers. Through my experience as a teacher, I’ve seen how popular graphic novels have become. Many children develop a love for this format early on and carry it into their teen years, often transitioning into anime-style books and more complex visual storytelling.
New Dog in School allows students to see themselves in Roxanne’s struggles while also fostering empathy for others who may face similar challenges. The book’s themes of resilience, friendship, and self-acceptance are important, and I see great potential for New Dog in School to become a series, addressing other social issues children and teens encounter. New Dog in School is a meaningful and engaging book that has the potential to connect with a wide audience.
Erica Tardiff, Elementary school teacher and math specialist, Griswold Elementary School, Kensington, CT
She's Roxanne! Book 2:
College Knowledge
When Roxanne's brother leaves for college, Roxanne is utterly distraught and tearfully tells the class that she won't see him for four years. This gives their teacher, Miss Edna, an opportunity to discuss many aspects of attending college with the students and to set Roxanne's mind at ease. Most young kids are unable to picture their teachers as 20 year olds and the students laugh riotously at Miss Edna's misadventures. As a college student Miss Edna caused quite a commotion during her college's annual club fair and caused a fair bit of disruption in The Louvre museum during her semester abroad in Paris. She also captained her team in the college's annual bed race. But did her team win? In College Knowledge, Miss Edna teaches Roxanne and the class about different types of colleges, what it means to choose a major, having a roommate, study abroad, and the importance of finding a balance between schoolwork and the fun of campus life.
Available at:
BookBaby: https://store.bookbaby.com/book/new-dog-in-school
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/