Review of “Ellie's Masterclass” by Melissa Kahl

Score: 96/100 (9.6 out of 10)

Ellie is a gorgeous and adventurous Golden Retriever with a lot of wisdom to share, drawing from her rich well of experiences! All of that (and more) are encapsulated in Ellie's Masterclass, a brilliantly-illustrated and beautifully executed book by Melissa Kahl!

We have to get this out of the way first and foremost: the illustrations are PHENOMENAL! They're almost lifelike! What makes them even more impressive is the fact that the author not only wrote the book, she also illustrated it!

We've seen our fair share of art, and this stands as one of the best examples. You can see the lines, the strokes, and the textures. You can even see the texture of the canvas itself! Ellie and her many animal friends really come to life!

What more? We can see them all in a variety of settings and scenarios, each with its own background and details. On page 10, you get to see some of the many animal friends that Ellie has met along the way including chickens, orcas, and other dogs! On page 17, you can see the variety of places that Ellie has visited, from the Golden Gate Bridge in California to the Statue of Liberty in New York. On page 19, you get to see the many little blessings and beauties that Ellie has seen and witnessed including the breaching of a humpback whale, seeing a butterfly, finding blue flowers, laying alongside a campfire, and finding a big, ole' tree. Just listing or describing these things doesn't do the art justice. You have to see the art to believe it.

Ellie has an aspect of her character that many dogs and dog owners will be able to relate to: a fascination with squirrels and a love for chasing them. However, the most powerful and meaningful aspects of Ellie's personality are her hope, optimism, and positivity! These things shine even brighter than her bright, golden fur!

And that brings us to our next point: this book isn't just illustrated to near-perfection, but its message is beautiful and powerful. Furthermore, it's simple—so simple that an adult OR a child could follow it.

This is a book about living. It's a book about living your best life, your happiest life, your most fulfilled life. It's a book about enjoying the snow and the rain. It's a book about making friends. It's a book about being conscientious, mindful, and grateful. It's a book about wondering, wandering (adventuring), and trusting your intuitions and instincts. It's a book about taking care of yourself by exercising and eating right. And, yet, it's only 40 pages long and an easy read!

We really fell in love with this book, its lead character, its illustrations, and its message.

Check it out!