Review of “Diary of a Service Dog: Grimm's Not So Grim Adventures” by McKenzie Catron

Score: 95/100 (9.5 out of 10)

Diary of a Service Dog is a truly exceptional and outstanding children's book by McKenzie Catron! The book shines a light on the duty, necessity, and joy that surrounds the work of service dogs and other service animals.

Grimm is the loyal, intelligent, and adorable service dog of McKenzie Catron, a wheelchair-bound author. Grimm is always there for McKenzie.

He accompanies her when she bathes to make sure she is safe from slipping, falling, or drowning (“guard[ing] her like a shield”).

He helps to give McKenzie confidence in new environments and situations like at social gatherings (“...my girl can be a bit shy... I helped her feel brave by holding my head high”). It should also be noted that both McKenzie (being in a wheelchair) and Grimm (being on all-fours), can sometimes find it difficult to see above a crowd or to stand out in one. Grimm effectively helps to guide McKenzie through that to make sure that she has a path and that she doesn't run into someone or vice-versa.

Grimm also keeps McKenzie company while she is writing, McKenzie's passion and job. Sometimes, it helps just to have company—just to have a friend—who can keep you both accountable and from feeling lonely. Being alone, especially while living with a disability, can be an incredibly terrifying experience. That was something highlighted in Freeing Teresa by Franke James, which constantly talked about how important it was for the author's sister (who suffered from Down syndrome) and father (who suffered from Alzheimer's) to not be left alone. That book emphasized how important it was for the sister and father to have each other as well as the support of the family. Likewise, Diary of a Service Dog highlights how important it is for people like McKenzie to have company, like Grimm (in this case).

Human beings are social animals, and so are dogs! Having a friend and loyal companion has so many benefits! It's invaluable!

Service dogs help to provide company, safety, and security. However, perhaps most importantly, they provide comfort.

In perhaps the sweetest scene of the book, Grimm is there for McKenzie comfort her in the hospital when she is being checked up on or isn't feeling too good. Anyone who goes to the hospital with an injury or an illness knows how uncomfortable and even scary that experience can be. This book does a great job at demonstrating how service animals like Grimm can greatly alleviate that discomfort, fear, and anxiety.

Grimm is also there to provide “good cuddles” and nose kisses to help McKenzie sleep. If you suffer from insomnia or sleep paralysis, as many of us do, just having the company of a companion like Grimm can make all the difference!

Another panel in this book that we grew to appreciate more and more is the one that explores grocery shopping. Often times, wheelchairs are powered and guided with the hands, either manually (propelling the wheels with the hands) and/or with a joystick. However, that can be complicated while grocery shopping, especially if you're holding the groceries (as McKenzie is shown doing in the illustration). Grimm is actually explained as pulling the wheelchair down the aisle similar to a Clydesdale, which is cute, amusing, and also practical. The illustration also shows how this is done, portraying a handle or reign on Grimm's harness that the user is able to hold onto. If you just skim the book, you'll miss it. But it's a really subtle detail that we appreciated about the book.

We also appreciated that the illustrations transition from being darker in the beginning to being brighter and more vibrant and colorful, which we often encourage in children's books.

The book is a terrific celebration of the work of service dogs and also of the inspirational life of the author herself. It demonstrates that anyone can live a full and accomplished life no matter their disability or circumstances, and it definitely helps to have a helpful, loving friend like Grimm!

Check it out on Amazon!