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Oscar's Blue Bandana kids book cover

Oscar's Blue Bandana

Oscar, a playful and talented Havanese dog, loves to make people smile by showing off his many tricks. When he is given the chance to become a therapy dog, this loving pup is delighted by the idea of spreading even more joy. But on test day Oscar unexpectedly has to face his biggest fear.

Will Oscar be able to overcome the challenge so he can follow his dream?

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Podcast: Kids' Questions Answered

What does a therapy dog do?

Wendy Goldstein, author and therapy dog owner, tells Dr. Danger and Super Eddie what a therapy dog is and what important characteristics a dog must have to become a therapy dog. She describes Oscar’s routine before and after he visits kids who are in the hospital. Wendy tells us how she knew Oscar was meant to become a therapy dog, and some of the impacts he has had in his visits.  You can learn how Oscar trained for his therapy dog test and what happened on test day in Wendy’s book, “Oscar’s Blue Bandana”. It’s available as an ebook or in print. 

Listen on Apple Podcast
A havanese dog in a therapy center
A woman and a Havanese Dog lying on the ground

Podcast: Getting to The Heart of Why We Write

Better Than Fiction Characters and Crucial Community

Wendy Goldstein speaks with Gina Soldano-Herrle about bringing a book to life with real characters at author visits as well as how crucial community is to writing.

Listen on Spotify

Podcast: The Curious Compassionate Podcast

The Curious Compassionate Meets Author Wendy Goldstein

What can a dog do? You will definitely be surprised. Wendy Goldstein speaks with The Curious Compassionate about what it means to be a therapy dog and Oscar’s path to achieve it.

Listen on Spotify
A therapy dog sitting with his blue bandana

PODCAST: THE CURIOUS COMPASSIONATE PODCAST​

Animals and what they can mean to us

 Picture Book Peeps members Christine J. Ko and Wendy Goldstein talk about animals, particularly domesticated ones such as dogs, and what they mean to us. 
Listen on Spotify

Interview: Lauri Fortino's Frog On A (B)Log

Interview Alert: Wendy Goldstein

Calling all dog lovers! Happy Dog Therapy Appreciation Day! Please welcome Wendy Goldstein to Frog on a Blog! It’s a real treat to have Wendy here today to talk about her picture book Oscar’s Blue Bandana, which she both wrote and illustrated. The book stars her very own adorable dog Oscar, a Havanese, who is a real-life therapy dog. Wendy and Oscar visit kids at a cancer treatment center in New York City and a home for children and their families who receive care at New York City hospitals. Oscar’s story melts my heart, and I know it will warm yours as well. Let’s hear more from Wendy!

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A therapy dog with volunteer bandana in front of kid's books
Black Havanese dog with a shopping cart

Interview: Monica Wellington's news

Interview with author/illustrator WENDY GOLDSTEIN

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 was in my class, “Writing and Illustrating Children’s Books” at SVA a few years ago. Read here about how she brought this project to reality through self-publishing. 
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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.

Some of Our Readers and Events!

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