About the Holiday
National Guide Dog Month celebrates the extraordinary skills of guide dogs and the organizations, professionals, and volunteers involved in breeding, raising, and training them. The recognition also raises funds and awareness to support the work of guide dog schools across the country. The observance was created in 2009 by the late actor Dick Van Patten, best known for the television series Eight Is Enough and co-founder of pet food company Natural Balance. The holiday has long been supported by the Petco Foundation. Another focus of the holiday is to educate people on how to behave around working guide dogs and the access rights of handlers. To learn more about National Guide Dog Month, visit awarnessdays.com.
Thank you to Abrams Books for Young Readers for sending me this book for review!
Eltie Takes the Lead: A Guide Dog’s Tail
Written by Molly Burke with Elton John Burke | Illustrated by Ziyue Chen
Meet Eltie! As he describes himself, he’s “a big black dog with a tail as fluffy as a feather duster” that never stops wagging; “warm brown eyes like gooey chocolate chips,” a white patch of fur on his chest shaped like a heart; and “a very important job.” He teases some possibilities before revealing that he is a service dog for Molly, who is blind and able to see “only light and dark.” Eltie explains that Molly reads braille with her fingers instead of words with her eyes—and provides a sample for children to try.
Eltie proudly tells readers that he went to school for two years to learn special skills before earning the title of Guide Dog. He then invites readers along as he and Molly walk through a park, into the city, and finally to school, pointing out ways he helps Molly avoid bumping into things, find a place to sit when she needs a break, cross the street, and make her way up stairs. While Molly participates in class, Eltie naps, then it’s time to help her navigate the lunch room, recess, and the trip back home. During the day, he even gets time to be “off the clock” and have fun, get cuddles, and roll in the grass like non-working dogs. Eltie dreams about what he and Molly—”the perfect team”—will do the next day, when, once again, he’ll “be ready to take the lead.”
Molly Burke introduces children to the life of a guide dog through Eltie, whose effervescent personality draws children into the professional and playful relationship between Molly and her companion. Burke’s buoyant storytelling shines with humor, pride, and the dedication of a reliable friend and helper. As readers learn about the education guide dogs undergo, the number of tasks they’re trained to do, and even the discipline they acquire to disregard some natural instincts while working, they will gain an in-depth understanding of the intelligence of these service dogs as well as how crucial they are to helping those who are blind enjoy independence.
Burke’s remarkable biographical book goes beyond her story, however, to include tactile elements that allow readers to feel Eltie’s shaggy coat, see the type of light-and-dark shadowy vision Molly has, and read a passage of the text in braille. Children and adults will want to linger over this braille paragraph and compare it to the printed text on the facing page to pick out individual letters, study word patterns, and feel the dots under their fingertips.
Ziyue Chen’s bright and joyful illustrations allow children to spend a day with Molly and Eltie as they navigate the city, attend school, and enjoy well-deserved playtimes. Eltie is adorable, eager, and alert to Molly’s needs—watching for cars, aware of doors and stairs, and always looking ahead to keep Molly safe. Eltie’s frisky nature is depicted in amusing suggestions of other jobs he might do before revealing himself as a service dog.
Uplifting and educational, Eltie Takes the Lead: A Guide Dog’s Tail is a singular book that will appeal to all dog lovers and those fascinated by animal-human teamwork. The book is a must for all public and school libraries and would be a favorite for classroom and home story times.
Ages 4 – 7
Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2026 | ISBN 978-1419778230
About the Author
Molly Burke is a blind public speaker, content creator, consultant, model, and author. With more than five million followers across social media, she uses her platform to advocate for greater inclusivity and representation at every touchpoint, uplifting and empowering others. Molly is a Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient who has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, People, Paper, Forbes, Adweek, Teen Vogue, and Allure and appeared on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and Today. She is based in Los Angeles. Visit her at mollyburkeofficial.com.
About the Illustrator
Raised on Sunny Island (Singapore), Ziyue Chen, aka Angeline, lives with her husband, Zw, and her two darling children. Dabbling in art was her form of escape from the struggles and confusion of growing up deaf. This led her to discover the beauty of how the art communicates with the viewer. Her life goal has been to have an emotional connection with those who view her work. She enjoys visualizing stories through illustrations, working on mostly children’s books. Visit her at ziyuechen.com.
National Guide Dog Month Activity
Guide Dogs for the Blind Activity Pack
Kids can have fun while learning about the training and work of guide dogs with the puzzles and activities provided by Guide Dogs for the Blind, one of the largest guide dog schools in the world. In this Activity Pack, children will find instructions on making an origami puppy, a page where they can decode a braille message, a coloring page, a word search puzzle, a crossword puzzle, and a word scramble. Answers are included. To learn more visit guidedogs.com.
Guide Dogs for the Blind Activity Pack
You can purchase Eltie Takes the Lead: A Guide Dog’s Tail from these booksellers
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop
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