Anna & Natalie - Hardcover

Barbara Cole grew up in Red Hill, North Carolina. She teaches English and Humanities at Sand Hills Community College and enjoys traveling, gardening, and photography. Her story is based on a true occurrence in her class.

Ronald Himler is an award-winning artist who has illustrated over 160 books. His work has been featured in magazines and on television. He lives in the desert near Tuscon, Arizona.

Anna and her class are going to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Only four students are chosen to carry the wreath in the ceremony and Anna wants to be chosen. Her teacher says they must write a letter to explain why they think they should be chosen. Anna thinks and thinks. She calls her grandfather when she gets home. Then she gets her computer to write her letter assuring Natalie they would win. The next day at school, Mrs. Randall reads her letter about the importance of dogs in the military. The letter is written from Natalie s point of view with a p.s. that says, Would you please let Anna walk with me so I will not be alone and she won t either? Anna is so excited to be chosen to walk with Natalie. Not until the end is it truly revealed that Natalie is a Seeing-Eye dog and that Anna is blind.

It is a truly heart-warming story that shows the perseverance of a young girl who has learned to reach far beyond her physical abilities. --Assoc. of Regional XI School Libraries

When her teacher announces a letter-writing contest to decide which four students will be chosen to help lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider, in Arlington National Cemetery, Anna is determined to win. The third grader has never before been picked for anything-not the softball or the basketball team, yet she daydreams about being given this opportunity. On the day of the announcement, the letter "From Natalie (with help from Anna)" is chosen. It asks for Anna to accompany her. It [is not] until the conclusion of the book that readers actually realize that Anna is blind and Natalie is her seeing-eye dog. A page about "Dogs in War" and information about the National War Dog Memorial Fund to honor the service of dogs in wartime is appended. Pen and ink and watercolor artwork dramatically fills the spreads. --School Library Journal