What if your child could learn about compassion, ability, and strength, all through the eyes of an adorable puppy with a very real job? “Pipsie Goes To Service Dog School” by Gayle Crabtree isn’t just another children’s book. It’s the real-life story of how Pipsie, a determined service dog, became a life-changing helper to her human, Gayle.

This book isn't fantasy. It’s legacy. It’s love. And it’s 100% real.

Based On A True Story With A Big Heart

Pipsie is more than just a character—she's a real service dog who worked alongside author Gayle Crabtree. This picture book captures their journey in a way little ones can easily understand and relate to. While it’s made for ages 1 to 5, the message hits home for any age: Not all heroes wear capes—some wear vests and wag their tails.

This isn’t a fluff piece or a feel-good fantasy. It’s a beautifully simple truth told through the eyes of a puppy, making it both accessible and powerful. Pipsie trains hard, learns what it takes to serve someone with a medical condition, and shows what love in action really looks like.

Why This Book Belongs On Every Kid’s Shelf

• It’s real. Kids love dogs, but this one? This dog actually changed a life. And your child gets to walk in her pawprints.
  
  
• It’s educational. Without being preachy or overly technical, it gently introduces concepts like disability, service dogs, and helping others.
  
  
• It’s inspiring. Not every dog makes it through service school, and not every person asks for help. Pipsie and Gayle did both—and they’re better for it. So is everyone who reads their story.
  
  

This book shows that being different isn’t a weakness—it’s often your superpower.

Friendship, Family, And Finding Purpose

Pipsie’s real-life adventures don’t stop at service dog school. In the story, just like in reality, she becomes an essential part of a family. She helps Grandma Nonna, bonds with granddaughter Brianna, and spreads light in ways only a loyal pup can.

These heartwarming interactions aren't just for the sake of a cute story. They’re real. They happened. And now they live on to teach kids about love, support, and being a true helper in your own home.

Magical Actions You Can Take With Your Child After Reading

Want to bring this story to life in your home? Try these:

1. Role-play service dog tasks – Let your child pretend to be a helper. This builds empathy.
   
   
2. Create a “Pipsie Helper Chart” – Every time your child helps someone, they earn a paw sticker. Easy, fun, and teaches kindness.
   
   
3. Talk about differences – Let this story open up real convos about disability, ability, and how everyone has value.
   
   
4. Honor your real-life helpers – Know someone with a service dog? Send them a thank you card. Teach appreciation early.
   
   

A True Tail (Pun Intended) Of Purpose

There are tons of kids' books out there, but how many are based on the true-life transformation of a dog who became a hero? Gayle Crabtree doesn’t just write this story—she lived it. And Pipsie didn’t just wear a vest—she wore responsibility with pride.

In a world full of digital noise and pretend magic, this book gives you something rare: Real love. Real learning. Real legacy.

Buy this book, read it with your child, and pass on a truth that matters: Helping others is the most powerful gift of all.

As someone who grew up watching re-runs of Reading Rainbow on PBS, it made me very happy to learn that a season's worth of the show was now being streamed on Netflix. I've watched 3 of the 25 or so episodes that are currently on there, and it brought back good memories. I actually don't remember any of those 3 episodes, as they were probably among the first ones aired well before I was born - the show started in 1983.

What's great about it is that you see books that are probably today out of print, but it doesn't make them any less good. The first episode featured were If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff. That book is actually still a top seller on Amazon even over 30 years later! It's a good one, too - and it's amazing what happens when you give a mouse a cookie.

The second was Two Old Potatoes and Me by John Coy, another good one about a father and daughter taking two old sprouting potatoes and turning them into over 60 of them. This one was reprinted in 2013, and I'm sure having Reading Rainbow on Netflix is helping it out.

The third one was Owen by Kevin Henkes, which was read on the show by Matthew Broderick - ok, I found that amusing. It's about a little mouse who doesn't want to give up his security blanket although he's now old enough to go to school. His mom comes up with a creative solution - which one Amazon reviewer wasn't too happy with... It's a good book, though.

I really love that this show is now easily accessible to today's kids. Yeah, the books are from the 80's and before, but that's what's great about it - shedding light on some really good kid's books. Yeah, I'm way too old for them, but it doesn't make me enjoy them any less.

I'd suggest you check out Reading Rainbow on Netflix if you have kids, or if you have PBS nostalgia like I do. But as LeVar Burton says, you don't have to take my word for it!