We are delighted to introduce you to the newest Book Buddies team, Gloria and her dog, Libby! Gloria and Libby have been busy visiting libraries in Door County and the Madison area, helping children practice reading. Libby has a book that each child who has read to them has signed. (See below!) Gloria’s favorite part about participating in read-to-a-dog programs is seeing when children have a breakthrough and have finally figured out the meaning of the words – all while reading to a nonjudgmental listener! Gloria finds the children who read to Libby are motivated to share their books and make a real effort to get it right for Libby, so that Libby can enjoy the stories, too.

Here are some fun facts about Libby:

Age: 4.5 years old

Type of Dog: Golden Retriever

Favorite Treat: Cheerios

Favorite Tricks: Shake, High-Five, Roll-over, Spin, and Gentle Kiss. Libby does all five tricks before eating breakfast!

Favorite Activity: Going to the dog park with friends

Favorite Season: Loves every day, in any season!

Special Skill: Sharing love

Favorite Way to Relax: Lying in a cozy dog bed with all four legs up in the air!

Favorite Toy: Anything that squeaks

Favorite Book Genre: Books about pigeons, especially if they are written and illustrated by Mo Williams

Thank you to all who participated in the most recent Taradiddle Youth Writing Contest. We received the most stories ever, with 24 stories for the Doyens (14-18 years) and 92 stories for the Abecedarians (13 years and younger). Thank you to the Taradiddle Judges for their time and careful consideration. Enjoy the stories here .

Please join us in congratulating the young authors!