I don’t often have the chance to recommend picture books to my readers. Today is different! A very good friend of mine from high school and fellow Denverite, Margaret Cate, has written a story called I Know My Name is Love about Tilly, a street dog who gets a second chance to be loved and share that love with others. The book is heart-warming and well-written with adorable illustrations. I’m happy to recommend it to those of you with special children in your lives! It was written for ages 3-7. Here’s the link to I Know My Name is Love on Amazon. See  below to read what inspired Margaret to write Tilly’s story! (It’s inspirational in and of itself!)

Tilly is a dog who believes she’s nothing but an ordinary mutt, because that’s what people have told her. Her life changes dramatically one rainy day, when an elderly woman named Florence rescues her from the streets. Florence teaches Tilly about all of the special qualities she possesses, convincing her that she is far more than just a mutt. When Tilly becomes a therapy dog in a children’s hospital, she soon realizes that everyone she encounters possesses those same special qualities. Told through the eyes of a dog, I Know My Name Is Love is about recognizing the extraordinary traits that lie within everyone.

From Margaret:

I was inspired to write I Know My Name Is Love, my first publication, while volunteering in a children’s hospital. I knew relatively little about pet therapy at the time, but soon became fascinated by the interaction between the therapy dogs and the children awaiting surgery. I was constantly amazed by the ability of the dogs to shift the mood of a room and to calm and cheer even the most anxious patients. It seemed like magic to me.

Many of the patients I encountered had physical attributes that some would have perceived as imperfections, but the therapy dogs held no judgment of these children. Instead, they offered them unconditional love. I decided to write a book that would remind children, all children, of their own extraordinary value in this world, just in case they’re tempted to forget or don’t have a dog to remind them.

Biography

Margaret Cate is the author of “I Know My Name Is Love.” Like many people, she’s always enjoyed a good story. She wrote her first around the age of seven and has dreamed of becoming a writer ever since. When she’s not busy working on her next book, she enjoys volunteering with kids of all ages in a children’s hospital. Learn more at margaretcate.net