Between mouthfuls of oatmeal, my daughter handed me a book. “Can you read this to
me?” she said, “It’s my favorite book!” It was Gina Gallagher’s sweet book, Reading with
Remmy.
Three things I should tell you about our family before I continue:
- We love children.
- We love dogs.
- We love to read.
For us, Reading with Remmy brings all of this together.
Remmy is a dog who, like most, is not content to simply watch the world outside: he wants to
jump in and be a part of it. While his people are away, Remmy sneaks out of his yard to his
favorite spot (you’ll have to read to find out!). Lounging in the shade, Remmy makes a friend in
an aspiring reader named Finley. Finley yearns to read, but is sometimes discouraged in her
pursuit. She soaks in story time at the library and totes piles of books to her room, wondering if
she will one day be able to read the stories she loves to hear. Finley presses on toward her goal,
finding a companion along the way.
Gina Gallagher’s endearing story is inspired by a real-life Remmy: a Goldendoodle, whose owner (and Gina’s friend) had high aspirations—she wanted him to assist her as a reading specialist, bringing him into her classroom as an audience for her budding readers. The road to the classroom was long, however, requiring a bit of training and certification beforehand. Despite the training efforts and diligence of her friend, the real Remmy could not pass canine obedience tests; his exuberance for life kept getting in the way.
Envisioning a different outcome for real-life Remmy, Gina was inspired to write this story as her first children’s book. In it, the real Remmy is cast as an obedient dog, while still maintaining his zest for life and people.
My five-year-old likes this book because she can relate; she finds a connection as she, too, is trying to decode letters that turn into words that turn into sentences. Like my daughter, Finley is trying to make sense of the “lines and squiggles” on the pages before her. On some pages, illustrator Will Kelly cleverly included parts of letters floating through the background, showing the audience what letters look like to Finley. As we read through this rhyming story together, my children enjoy trying to make sense of the same story Finley is reading by unscrambling the letters in the background. They see it as a fun puzzle to solve, built into the pages of a relatable story. This is a bonus for my kids.
Reading with Remmy is an enjoyable read for parents and children alike. Children will appreciate the rhythm of the words as well as the story being told. This book is an invitation to remember that children often have the desire to read, but first have a few hurdles to jump. It will encourage those who are walking the same path as Finley, as learning to read is a process that can sometimes feel arduous. As adults, we sometimes forget what it takes to learn to read. For Finley, Remmy is a friend with a willingness to be patient and an eagerness to listen.
If you have an early reader who needs a little encouragement or others who remember the challenges of
learning to read, I recommend sharing this lovely story.
- Reading with Remmy: A Review - May 26, 2025
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- Fragile Faith, Compassionate Creator - October 28, 2024
Erica, thank you for such a wonderful review of my book, Reading with Remmy. The fact that your daughter said it is her favorite book, makes your review even more special.