Sadie Sees Trouble (paperback) - Linda Jarkey

Sadie Sees Trouble is an Award-Winning Finalist in the Animals/Pets: General category of the 2018 Best Book Awards sponsored by American Book Fest!

Sadie Sees Trouble is a unique invitation to parents to engage children with the delightful tale of Sadie the Dog as she tries to lure her little girl Penny back into active play around their home. Responding to nationwide calls by educators to reduce “screen time” among young children, veteran educators Linda and Julie Jarkey developed this first book in a series of Sadie stories so that it literally opens doors in family literacy.

What doors? Well, first, the doors to your kitchen cabinets! All of the book’s colorful artwork was produced with items typically found in a family’s kitchen. The components are listed at the back of the book, from strawberries to mustard. After reading the story the first time, readers can download free black-and-white illustrations of Sadie and Penny to color along with the characters and expand the entire story. The authors welcome readers to visit the book’s website and share their ideas of ways to turn common foods and household materials into art supplies. The authors even step outside and include blades of grass clipped from the lawn. This first book is an open invitation to enter Sadie’s world and spark creative ideas in your home.

The authors hope you will welcome them and their beloved characters into your home.

This book is a must-read for young children who use technology. Interaction with others and childhood play activities are losing their edge over tablets and smart phones. This delightful book, written from the point of view of Sadie the family dog, helps parents define limits.

Nancy Jayroe, MA, LPC, NCC, Professional Family Counselor and Educator

As an educator in Special Education, I found this story to be a wonderful way to enlighten today’s youth on the effects technology can have on our daily lives. I love that this story reminds us of this through the eyes of a dog, man’s best friend. What better model to encourage children to get out and play than the one creature whose job is to do nothing but run around, have fun and to love us?

Melanye Stromberg, Speech-Language Pathologist, Queens, NY

A unique commentary written from the point of view of the family pet, Sadie will touch the hearts of young readers. The story brings o ut a modern-day state of affairs, which will also give pause to adults who read it. What a marvelous idea to make the book interactive by challenging readers to follow the concept of illustrations created by household materials. Sadie presents a win-win for youngsters and parents!

Robert Wilcox, Retired Elementary Educator, Executive Member of the Utica Community Schools Foundation for Educational Excellence

I am always looking for books that are accessible, as well as linked to real life situations. Sadie Sees Trouble rhymes and uses vocabulary related to a child's world, as well as textual connections and a clear theme. All are easily used for narrative writing modeling, and to generate conversation. There is even a delicious hands-on activity to re-create the flavorful illustrations. This book will resonate with entering level ELLs as well as G.E. students.

Alan J. Reiff, ESL/ENL Coordinator, NYC Department of Education; ESL Adjunct, LaGuardia Community College CUNY