Trouble Dog: From Shelter Dog to Conservation Hero

Gr 1-5–Tucker is a spirited dog with unceasing energy and an insatiable appetite for play. When he is returned to the animal shelter one too many times and labeled troublesome, he catches the eye of Laura, who suspects he may be just the kind of trouble she needs. Laura puts him to the test, training him over time to recognize and locate specific natural scents and rewarding him with play. She then travels with Tucker first to Hawaii, then to China, Chile, Myanmar, Zambia, and beyond. In each location, Tucker is tasked with following his nose to find invasive species for removal, endangered animals for protection, and animal scat for study by scientists, ultimately showing remarkable skill in his new role: “When he finds his target, everyone celebrates—whether he’s in the field or helping teach people about conservation. Best of all, he has a forever home. Where he almost never gets into trouble.” The watercolor illustrations capture Tucker’s energy and personality, as well as his training and work in the field; human characters are depicted in a variety of skin tones. Back matter includes additional information about conservation dogs and the real-life dogs who inspired Tucker’s story.