Books
Sugarmint’s Gentle Surprise is a beautifully illustrated picture book that teaches children how to understand, respect, and connect safely with dogs — all through an unforgettable story.
Sugarmint is a big dog with an even bigger heart, and all he wants is to be loved by children. While the kids eagerly flock to his tiny best friend, Marigold, they run away from Sugarmint… and all the attention leaves Marigold feeling uncomfortable. With hope in his heart and questions in his mind, Sugarmint sets off to learn what he’s been doing wrong and what it will take to finally be seen by the children.
As Sugarmint learns that love isn’t always loud or close, young readers are gently introduced to the importance of personal space, recognizing subtle body-language cues, and understanding that everyone—dogs and children alike—needs boundaries to feel safe. Sugarmint’s Gentle Surprise is a heartwarming and educational picture book for families, teachers, dog lovers, and dog trainers who want to nurture empathy, respect, and safer connections between children and dogs.
Why Parents, Dog Trainers, and Educators Love Sugarmint’s Gentle Surprise
It Builds Real Empathy
By experiencing the story from the dog’s perspective, children begin to understand that dogs have feelings, boundaries, and different comfort levels — just like them.
It Models Healthy Problem-Solving
The main character navigates challenges calmly, showing children that problems can be solved with patience and understanding.
It Supports Social-Emotional Learning
Themes of empathy, boundaries, respect, and emotional awareness are woven seamlessly into the story, strengthening skills children use far beyond dog interactions.
It Highlights Different Personalities
With two distinct dog temperaments, children learn an important life lesson. Not everyone feels the same way in the same situation and that’s okay.
It Creates Meaningful Conversations
Whether you’re a dog-owning family, animal lover or parent, this book opens the door to important discussions about kindness, space, and reading emotional cues. These social skills go beyond dogs but can be applied to the child's personal experiences in social settings.
It Teaches Dog’s Body Language in a Child-Friendly Way
Detailed illustrations subtly show canine body cues, helping children recognize when a dog feels happy, unsure, needs space, or overwhelmed. That awareness builds safer interactions at home and beyond.
What Professionals are Saying
Sugarmint’s Gentle Surprise is a charming little book with a massive message for children and adults alike: Dogs have feelings too. Judit Arroyo so sensitively expresses dogs' feelings and emotions, their fears and pleasures. Sometimes dogs would love to play but other times, they don’t have the confidence, and are as scared of us as we might find them scary, especially when unfamiliar people approach too close and too quickly. So, with unfamiliar dogs, be calm, be patient, toss kibble, and read the dog. If they approach, a friendship is afoot; if they stay away, give them space.”
-Dr.Ian Dunbar PhD, BVetMed, MRCVS. Founder of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers
Sugarmint’s Gentle Surprise is a compassionate, beautifully told story that helps children and adults understand boundaries, recognize subtle signals, and respect that both kids and animals need to feel safe. The story is designed to support families, teachers, and caregivers in having early, age-appropriate conversations about respectful interactions with dogs, helping prevent fear and injuries while building lifelong trust between children and animals.
-Dr. Karen Becker, DVM, Integrative Veterinarian and New York Times Bestselling Author
Sugarmint’s Gentle Surprise is a fun, engaging story with an important lesson for children and adults alike. The author’s message to respect boundaries and treat people and animals as individuals is clear and compelling.
Great for parents and educators to read aloud to young children and for new readers to discover on their own. A welcome addition to classroom and home libraries!
-MaryEllen Schneider
Founder, SitStayRead Literacy Program