In the first children's book written by critically acclaimed, New York Times-bestselling superstar Isabel Allende, Perla, the mighty dog, teaches her human brother, Nico Rico, how to use his superpowers to stand up to a bully.Perla is a mighty dog who has two superpowers—making people love her, and roaring like a lion. When she finds out her human brother, Nico Rico, is being bullied at school, she knows she has to step in! But what will Perla do?
In a charming and poignant story about the bond between child and pet, Isabel Allende makes her children's literary debut.
On sale: May 28, 2024
Age: 4-8 years
Grade: Preschool - 3
Page count: 32 Pages
ISBN: 9780593623596
Reading level: Lexile: AD650L | Fountas/Pinnell: M
Isabel Allende, a novelist, feminist, and philanthropist, is one of the most widely read authors in the world, having sold more than 77 million copies of her twenty-six books across forty-two languages. In addition to her work as a writer, Isabel devotes much of her time to human rights causes. She has received fifteen honorary doctorates, was inducted into the California Hall of Fame, and received the PEN Center Lifetime Achievement Award and the Anisfield-Wolf Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2014, President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, and in 2018 she received the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters from the National Book Foundation. She lives in California with her husband and dogs, one of whom is named Perla. You can visit Isabel Allende at IsabelAllende.com or follow her on Instagram @AllendeIsabel, on Facebook at Facebook.com/IsabelAllende, and on X @IsabelAllende.
Sandy Rodríguez is a self-taught artist and illustrator. She grew up in Mexico surrounded by lots of family. (She has more than 30 cousins!) Inspired by everyday moments, Sandy loves creating playful characters with quirky personalities. Her favorite medium is watercolor and ink, but she also experiments with colored paper and gouache. Sandy lives in London with her husband and two fantastic daughters. You can visit Sandy Rodríguez at SandyRodriguez.co.uk or follow her on Instagram @SandyRodriguezG and on X @Sandrelenrod.
Praise for Perla The Mighty Dog:
An Amazon Best Book of the Month! A TODAY Show Read with Jenna Jr pick!"
Confident and voluble, pooch protagonist
Perla . . . [demonstrates] that fierceness and love can be two sides of the same coin.
Sprightly, animated watercolor and ink drawings by Rodriguez (
Lola and the Troll) . . .
include the touches of domestic magic gestured to throughout this sprightly tale." —
Publishers Weekly
"Allende has crafted a winsome portrait of a miniature, magical dog whose droll commentary makes for
a fab read-aloud . . . Rodríguez’s vivid watercolor-and-ink artwork . . . [pulls] readers along in the fun from page to page . . .
Paws up for this personable pooch." —
Kirkus Reviews
"
Allende's story emphasizes not only the importance of standing up to bullies but also
that being small doesn't mean you have to feel small. Rodriguez's expressive and playful watercolor-and-ink
illustrations give Perla fittingly large personality."
—Booklist
"
[Perla] narrates this story with . . . the type of cheekiness that will have kids giggling. The silly figures of
a small wizard and mouse scampering around . . .
makes for a cute seek-and-find that adds another layer of engagement for observant kids.
[C]hildren will want to read more Perla adventures." —
School Library Journal
