I am a Golden Retriever

A yellow ball drifts into a busy park pond, and Sunny the Golden Retriever knows just what to do. In I Am a Golden Retriever, children watch Sunny and Maeve face a small challenge with patience, courage, and care. Written by Kimberlee Everson and part of the I Am a Dog series, this gentle, first-dog narrative invites readers to notice how a retriever thinks, feels, and chooses kindness. Imagination and real canine behavior meet on every page: soft-mouth carrying, following scent downwind, webbed paws paddling, and a tail steering like a rudder. Sunny waits for a word before swimming, gives ducks space, and brings the ball back without squeezing too hard. The emotional arc-excited, worried, determined, proud, and calm-helps children practice empathy and self-regulation as Maeve pretends to be a retriever alongside her canine friend. Back matter includes a kid-friendly fact page about Golden Retrievers, from Scottish roots and double coats to exercise needs and why many dogs carry gently. Warm, clear language makes this a thoughtful read-aloud for ages 5-10 and an inviting bridge for early independent readers who love dogs, nature, and true-to-life stories.