Rossi Guides the Way: A Guide Dog Graphic Novel (Service Pups in Training)
Service Pups In Training Series
What’s inside...
Rossi, a young Labrador, is in training to become a guide dog. Throughout her journey, she learns the importance of responsibility, teamwork, and trust as she strives to be a dependable companion for those in need.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Rossi feels when she's helping others as a guide dog?
What are some of the challenges Rossi faces during her training, and how does she overcome them?
Why is trust important between Rossi and the people she helps?
Can you think of any ways we can help or support people with disabilities in our community?
If you had a service dog like Rossi, what would you like to teach him or her?
Tip: Role play these questions
Begin the discussion during a quiet reading time, allowing the child to reflect on Rossi’s journey. Use the illustrations in the graphic novel to point out Rossi’s emotions and actions, making connections to the story’s themes. Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about helping others, paralleling Rossi’s experiences. Finally, relate the story’s messages back to your child’s world by discussing ways they can be helpful or inclusive in their own environment.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The story showcases Rossi, a guide dog in training, learning to understand and anticipate the needs of people with visual impairments, which promotes empathy.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these lessons by learning to recognize and respect the various needs of others around them, fostering a more inclusive environment.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Rossi’s journey highlights the training and discipline required to be a service animal. This reflects the broader message of responsibility and diligence.
Real-World Application: Kids can relate this to their own lives by understanding the importance of consistent effort and responsibility in tasks like homework, chores, or caring for a pet.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the novel, Rossi works closely with trainers and other dogs, emphasizing the value of teamwork and cooperative efforts.
Real-World Application: This can help children grasp the importance of working with others to achieve common goals in school projects or team sports.
Example Lesson: Overcoming Challenges
Explanation: Rossi faces and overcomes various training challenges, teaching resilience and perseverance.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to persist through their own challenges, be it learning a new skill or overcoming personal obstacles.
Example Lesson: Service and Helpfulness
Explanation: The graphic novel illuminates the role of service dogs and how they assist people, underscoring the themes of service and helpfulness.
Real-World Application: This can motivate children to seek out ways to help within their community, be it through volunteering or simply assisting friends and family.