Oscar's Blue Bandana

The true story of how I became a therapy dog.

Get the book

Follow your dreams

Act from your heart

Never give up

Find out more about Oscar's story

Explore the site to learn more about Oscar and his story. Enjoy some fun activities that are Oscar-approved!

Learn more

Who is Oscar?

What is it to be a therapy dog? Who is the hero behind this story? Explore a little more in depth about the book’s protagonist and how valuable his work is in the world.

Meet Oscar

Meet Oscar's mom

Behind every hero, there are people who support him. Meet Oscar’s mother, who encouraged him to get his blue bandana and explore his world in more depth.

Meet the author

Select events

28

March
2024

The Orchard Academy (Private Event)

All Day

02

June
2024

Barnes & Noble (STory Time & Author Meeting)

12:00 PM - 01:00 PM EST

Barnes and Noble, 1550 Third Avenue, NYC

05

June
2024

Paché Montessori (Private Event)

All day

28

September
2024

Brooklyn Book Festival Children's Day

10:00 PM - 04:00 PM EST

Brooklyn Commons

WHAT READERS SAY

Jill Sharfstein Pre-school teacher for 26 years at Abraham Joshua Heschel School; founder of "The Giving Library"

A heartwarming new book, Oscar’s Blue Bandana, tells the true story of Oscar’s determination to become a therapy dog. Beautifully written by his owner Wendy C. Goldstein, her lively colorful ink and watercolor drawings capture Oscar’s adorable facial expressions. We learn about Oscar’s tasks and challenges, as he earns his blue bandana. Then he is able to visit hospitals with Wendy. Not only does he perform tricks, but he lets children and their grown-ups pet and snuggle him. He brings love and calm, comforting them with his gentle, loving presence. Good dog Oscar! Enjoying this book with your favorite child or children will be a most enjoyable and inspiring opportunity to learn how one dog can make a difference bringing smiles to so many in need.

Esther Hershenhorn Children's Book Author

The story engages from the get-go, flows, builds, satisfies. Even better, a young reader could simply look at the illustrations to "read" the story as the pages turn. LOTS of learning, too, for anyone interested in therapy dogs!

Dr. Michael Gotthelf

This book is a delightful story about an ambitious dog! I had an ear to ear grin the entire time I read it and I’m sure it will be a wonderful gift for our friends with young children.

The storyline is heartwarming, about a dog striving to become a therapy dog! The illustrations are amazing. This is a book that will bring enjoyment to any child (or adult) reading it or having it read to them. There are a few life lessons sprinkled along the way.

It is one of those books that will be requested by any child again and again! You can feel the love that runs through it. You and your child will love it!

Nancy Finkelstein Preschool teacher, The Orchard Academy at Mountain Top School

What a wonderful book about Oscar’s journey to become a therapy dog. I read this book to my preschool students and they loved hearing how Oscar overcame his fears and accomplished his goal. The colorful illustrations enhance this adorable book and really catch the attention of the kids. I highly recommend this book for young children as it teaches a valuable and important lesson.

Sarah Chapdelaine Head of Children’s Services, Leominster Public Library

Oscar’s Blue Bandana is a great read that includes humor and poignancy and I can’t wait for families to check this book out of the library. Children often struggle with lots of emotions when they don’t quite get things right the first time. Seeing Oscar try again and preserve is an important lesson and reassuring. What child would not relate? The drawings are so detailed and full of bright colors that further bring the story to life. Oscar’s facial expressions show all of his emotions so well as he goes through his journey. A fantastic read!

Jane Kopelman CPDT-KA, All About Dogs

Oscar’s Blue Bandana is a pure delight. Aside from being charming and funny, it teaches some valuable lessons. Lessons about overcoming your fears and about allowing your canine companion to go at their own pace to get where they need to go.

Lauri Fortino Children's Picture Book Author

Oscar's story melts my heart, and I know it will warm yours as well.

Monica Wellington Children's Book Author and Illustrator. Teacher at School at Visual Arts, NYC

In real life and in Wendy Goldstein's picture book, Oscar is an adorable therapy dog. "Oscar's Blue Bandana" is his story, told in his charming first person voice, of how he trained for his dream job and succeeded in gaining his badge and blue bandana and qualifying as an official therapy dog. Wendy and Oscar are a real inspiration in so many ways!

Brad Meltzer Bestselling author of the Ordinary People Change the World series

Oscar is a beautiful hero – a determined little dog who reminds us all what it means to put good in the world. Two barks up from us here.

Paché Montessori Parent

On Wednesday we had our family dinner with a beautiful recollection of Wednesday’s author visit. From tricks, to paws and explanation on what authors do to huge interest in therapy dogs. Joy at its best. We wouldn’t want our week to end or this last one to continue without acknowledging the beautiful efforts to put that visit together and walking children through the marvels of reading and animals, thank you! I’m sure all kids involved (we’ve heard it from other parents as well!) will take this memory always as many others at school.