A Review by Rickey Pittman of Linda Apple’s  
Winston’s World & Winston’s Words of Wisdom

“Everything I know I learned from dogs.” – Nora Roberts

      Linda Apple is the author of women’s fiction, historical novels, and nonfiction as well as a motivational/inspirational speaker and a champion of literacy and promoter of new authors. She is one of the key organizers of the Ozark Creative Writer’s Conference in Eureka Springs. She has written a series of chapter books detailing the life and adventures of Winston Wallace Apple, a Scottish Terrier. For this review, I chose to feature two books, both written from Winston’s point of view—Winston’s Words of Wisdom, illustrated by Dylan Hale and Winston’s World, the Way He Sniffs It,  illustrated by Greg Moody.

         Winston describes himself as TDIC (Top Dog in Charge) and the head of Apple Security. From his hilarious encounter with a turtle, to his explanation of dog communication through pee-mail, his adventures will bring a smile to the reader’s face. Winston will help youngsters think about a dog’s life, will increase the reader’s vocabulary, and his words of advice and questions he asks are thought provoking and enriching, excellent for parent-child discussions.

         Reading these books left me with the same good feeling I experienced after viewing  Bolt and listening to “Barking at the Moon” by Jenny Lewis. The short chapters are perfect goodnight readings for little ones or fun reads for any school-aged child who loves dogs.

Rickey Pittman,  Bard of the South, October 17, 2023