Books for Children

Patchwork Dog and Calico Cat Series

Patchwork Dog and Calico Cat are the best of friends.

Patchy is an adventurous, curious, fun-loving, not-so-smart dog who enjoys exploring the world around him. Unfortunately, his grand adventures don’t always go smoothly since he rarely plans ahead. His carefree attitude generally lands him in unpleasant or sticky situations. Poor Patchy; he means well, but trouble seems to find him wherever he goes.

Calico Cat prefers a different approach to life. She’d rather stay home and sleep, dreaming about her favorite snack, cheesy treats. However, against her better judgment, Calico allows Patchy to talk her into joining him on his adventures. She’s an intelligent cat and tries to balance the dog’s impulsive actions with common sense and caution. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work; Calico generally winds up in the middle of the mess alongside her friend.

Don’t think that Calico is totally innocent, though. The mischievous cat loves to play tricks on her friend when the temptation is just too hard for her to resist. You never know what to expect when Patchy and Calico set off on a journey. Maybe the dog will look for hidden treasure, or the cat will trick her friend into believing he can fly.
Together, the unforgettable pair will keep children (and adults) thoroughly entertained while reading their humorous tales in the four-book Patchwork Dog and Calico Cat series. Through their adventures, the two companions learn valuable lessons they share with their young (preschool, elementary) audience about sharing, caring, being friendly, and treating others with kindness and respect.

Each book contains five stories with pictures at the beginning and end of each tale. At the end of each story, there are also three questions to help the kids think about what they’ve discovered while adventuring with Patchy and Calico.

The books in the series are:
Patchwork Dog and Calico Cat (Book 1) • Patchy and Calico’s Summer Vacation (Book 2) • Christmas with Patchy and Calico (Book 3) • A Ghostly Adventure (Book 4)

Book 1 Click on image to buy

In the very first pages, Patchwork Dog and Calico Cat captured my heart. - S.A. Molteni

Patchwork Dog and Calico Cat are best friends. Even when Patchy follows his nose into mischief, Calico is always there to help him get out of sticky situations. Of course, that’s when she’s not instigating the mischief herself by playing a joke on her not-so-smart friend.

Join the two lovable creatures as Calico tricks Patchy into believing he can fly like a bird. Unfortunately, he learns the hard way that soaring through the air is nice, but the landings hurt too much. That doesn’t discourage him, though. In another story, he stumbles upon a better way to fly – an airplane!

In the other three adventures in this book:

Patchy and Calico develop terrible tummy aches after eating too many apples.
The two friends try to hide from a scary thunderstorm and get locked inside a garden shed with a very unfriendly skunk.
The dog and cat discover that dreams can come true. Lending a helping paw rewards them with something both have been wanting for a long time.

Get ready for lots of fun and laughter as Patchy and Calico take you along on their grand adventures in Patchwork Dog and Calico Cat.

Book 2 Click on image to buy

“…the best part is that there's a lesson that kids remember, but don't even know that they are being taught something”. - G. Guerra

As usual, Patchwork Dog has a knack for getting into trouble, and Calico Cat usually winds up in the middle of the mess with him. In Patchy and Calico’s Summer Vacation, the two friends take a trip to the beach where Patchy comes nose to claw in a painful encounter with a fiddler crab.

Their summer adventures are far from over as you will see.

Calico is not a happy camper when Patchy gets them hopelessly lost while hiking through the woods. It gets worse when they cross paths with a hungry, grumpy bear.
The circus comes to town, and Patchy and Calico are caught sneaking around the tents. Before the dog and cat can get away, they are involuntarily drafted to join one of the acts.
Patchy had never been in a boat before, but that didn’t stop him from climbing aboard a rowboat. Everything was okay until the boat floated away from shore taking its passenger on an unexpected ride.
While the kids and teacher were outside, Patchy and Calico snuck inside the school to take a quick peek inside a classroom. Of course, they didn’t plan on still being in there when the class returned. Oops!

What lessons will Patchy and Calico learn from their (mis)adventures? Tag along as they enjoy their summer vacation. See if you can keep the pair out of trouble. Make sure you’re prepared for the unexpected!

Book 3 Click on image to buy

“It's engaging, it tells a great story, teaches a wonderful lesson and the kids will love it.” - Kindle Reader

What kid doesn’t love Christmas? It’s the most sparkly time of year!

In Christmas with Patchy and Calico, the lovable dog and cat discover the true spirit of Christmas. The humorous stories entertain kids and grown-ups alike as Patchy and Calico teach them a valuable lesson - giving and sharing can be just as much fun as receiving presents.

For Christmas, Patchwork Dog and Calico Cat surprise their animal friends by sharing treats the two had saved for this special occasion. The smiles and hugs from their friends make Patchy and Calico very happy. That is until they get home and find that all the presents under their Christmas tree had mysteriously disappeared!

Now, it is up to Patchy and Calico to solve the mystery of the gift snatcher. With help from their friends, they track down the thief who stole everyone’s presents and confront the unhappy bully who is determined to make everyone else just as sad and miserable as he is.

Will Patchy and Calico save Christmas? You’ll have to read Christmas with Patchy and Calico to find out!

Book 4 Click on image to buy

“The questions asked at the end of each chapter are a brilliant way to get the readers talking about how the story makes them feel, and that's what reading should be about. …how the story makes you FEEL. That's where the joy of reading is born.” - D. Dillon

In A Ghostly Adventure, Patchwork Dog and Calico Cat encounter unexpected surprises as they prepare for Halloween. Patchy’s grand adventure as a ghost hunter backfires, and as usual, wherever the curious dog wanders, trouble lurks not too far away.

Patchy wants to meet a ghost. During the day, he is a brave, fearless ghost hunter. However, at night, whenever he hears strange noises or thinks he sees a ghost, he hides under the covers. Calico assures him that ghosts aren't real.

A routine trip to the veterinarian proves to be more than he bargained for when spooky, red glowing eyes follow his every move. Calico experiences it too and can longer tell Patchy it’s just his imagination.

A clumsy yet adorable turkey buzzard named Elmer crashes his way into their adventures. He teaches the two friends it doesn’t matter what someone looks like on the outside; it’s what’s on the inside that counts. Elmer also helps Patchy locate a ghost who lives in a haunted house tucked away in the deep, dark forest. The turkey buzzard leads his two new friends to what’s left of a broken-down, forgotten home. Will Patchy and Calico enter the haunted house? Will they find a ghost?

The only way you’ll find out is by reading A Ghostly Adventure.