Hanni And Beth: Safe & Sound

2007 ASPCA HENRY BERGH CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD

By Beth Finke
Illustrations by Anthony Alex LeTourneau
Hardcover: 32 pages
List Price: 17.95
ISBN10: 0-9792918-0-1
ISBN13: 978-9792918-0-7
(Ages 4 - 10)

Blue Marlin Publications proudly donates 5% off all sales of Hanni And Beth: Safe & Sound to Seedlings Braille Books for Children. For more information on this wonderful charity, dedicated to increasing the opportunity for literacy by providing high quality, low cost braille books for children, visit their website Seedlings Braille Books for Children

Hanni and Beth: Safe & Sound is the story of how Beth, who is blind, travels safely around the city--to work, shopping, even to baseball games--with the help of Hanni, a specially-trained Golden/Labrador Retriever. It's a touching tale of mutual devotion and teamwork.

Hanni and Beth: Safe & Sound includes factual information about how Hanni was raised and trained, how Beth and Hanni learned to work together as a team, and what it's like to be blind.

Watch an interview with Hanni and Beth on YouTube!

Want to know more about Beth Finke? Of course you do! Visit her at www.bethfinke.com. While you are there, pick up a copy of her memoir, Long Time, No See and see why it was on the Book Sense top ten list!

Follow Beth as she makes her way around America with Whitney (Beth's current Seeing Eye dog) in tow (or is it the other way around?). After a little over 10 years of service and freindship, it is time for Hanni to retire. Reall all about it in Safe and Sound blog and read the Amazing Adventures of Hanni & Beth.

Raves & Reviews

The School Library Journal reviews Hanni and Beth: Safe & Sound by Beth Finke with illus. by Anthony Alex LeTourneau.

From the School Library Journal - "K-Gr 3—"Look at me!" Hanni, a Seeing Eye dog, explains who she is and her responsibilities as she introduces readers to her partner, Beth, who is blind. Vigilance is stressed throughout the book, and when Hanni talks about "keeping us safe," readers know that she is speaking as part of a team.

Although there is plenty of information about what a Seeing Eye dog does—and does not do—when at work, this is predominantly a story about relationships: Hanni's relationship with Beth, with other dogs, and with the world at large as she navigates her partner through it. The pictures are painted in oil and have a soft focus.

There are two sets of notes at the end—one from the point of view of Hanni, which describes her training as a puppy, and one from Beth, which explains how she became blind and her decision to get a Seeing Eye dog. These are accompanied by black-and-white line drawings that are much more playful in tone than the rest of the book. A list of online resources is appended. The book is also available in braille. An upbeat and inspiring selection..."
—Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA for School Library Journal

"This is a wonderful book for children ages 4 and up to read and enjoy."
- The Nashville News

A wonderful story, from the heart but without the mush. Hanni, a Seeing Eye Dog, tells the story, and, true to her training, never lets her partner, Beth, down. From the wry first sentence on the very first page--"Look at me!"--Beth reveals herself to be warm, sensible, and almost casually brave.
- Tom McNamee, Columnist and Editor, Chicago Sun-Times

Everyone who sees a Seeing Eye Dog in action wonders about the dynamic between dog and human being, and now Beth Finke reveals all the intelligence, caring, and love that goes into this unique partnership by letting a dog, Hanni, tell her story. The pairing of Finke’s clear and animated writing with LeTourneau’s precise and expressive illustrations perfectly reflects the lively relationship between proud and responsible Hanni and proud and intrepid Beth, not only showing young readers how remarkable Seeing Eye Dogs are, but also how a person without sight can live a full, creative, and pleasurable life.
- Donna Seaman, Booklist editor,and author of Writers on the Air

A charming, real life dog tale, sure to inspire visually impaired children to dream of one day being matched with their very own guide dogs. My favorite aspect of being blind is getting to be the human half of a working guide dog team. While cane travel is universally taught and is a required skill for admission to recognized guide dog training programs, exposure to the guide dog lifestyle is limited at best. Hanni and Beth dispels myths about what these dogs really do and teaches appropriate etiquette for encountering working teams, which is so necessary to a blind or visually impaired person's safety. This is definitely a must read!
- Sheila Styron, President, Guide Dog Users, Inc.

Hanni and Beth make a charming couple, and their story is at once tender and uplifting.
- Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune/WGN Radio

"Told from Hanni's point of view, and beautifully illustrated by professional artist Anthony Alex LeTourneau, Hanni and Beth: Safe & Sound is enthusiastically recommended for children's library collections."
- The Midwest Book Review

"Already Safe & Sound has received attention."
- The News-Gazette

For more post-publication reviews, articles and information, please visit the following sites:

Chicago Tribune
www.chicagotribune.com
Articles: 12/29/07; 2/9/08

Midwest Book Review
www.midwestbookreview.com
Review: 1/2008

The News-Gazette
www.news-gazette.com
Article: 10/28/07 (full page spread)

Click here to read the blog "The Amazing Adventures of Hanni & Beth Book Tour."

The Glen Ellyn Sun
www.glenellynsun.com
Article: 12/14-12/20/07 (Cover)

Home Education Magazine
www.homeedmag.com
Article: 1/18/2008

Illinois Alumni magazine
www.uiaa.org
Article: Vol. 20, Iss. 1 (July/Aug 2007)