Pet Tales: A middle grade novel

Winner of the Joyce Barkhouse Children’s Literature Prize (2021) for unpublished manuscripts

Eleven-year-old Penny Maxwell has anxiety and hates it. It stops her from speaking up in class, making friends, and sometimes even causes embarrassing panic attacks at the worst possible moments.

Rather than hanging out with other kids after school, Penny volunteers at the local animal shelter, where, surrounded by furry friends, she feels like she can be herself. While tending to the rescued pets, Penny has been secretly writing fanciful backstories for all of them, but hasn’t shared the tales with anyone—and never would. 

But when her beloved safe space is suddenly under threat of shutting down, sharing them might just be the only solution, at least according to Ada, a precocious new friend who hatches a genius scheme for them to save the shelter together. Can Penny find the courage to face her anxiety and overcome her fears in time?

Themes of mental health, social justice, friendship, courage, and conviction.

Published by Nevermore Press’s imprint Trap Door Books (Lunenburg, NS)

Now available at your favourite bookstore at the button below.

Reviews for Pet Tales

“I absolutely loved this book! It was touching, well-written, perfect for the middle grade age group, funny, emotional, and a delight to read … There are some beautiful themes of friendship, family, standing up for oneself, believing in oneself, and caring about others. I really loved the character growth and the outcome of the story and I know many others will too.” Read full review

Heather Hines @TheMaritimeReader and GoodReads Reviewer

“An empowering read for young readers while also greatly appealing to an audience of all ages … Through love, kindness, and honesty, the tale unfolds layers of important topics in a meaningful and heartfelt way that made it enjoyable to read.” Read full review

Sarah Butland from The Miramichi Reader

“A middle-grade realistic fiction featuring a kiddo who lives with panic attacks and how this affects relationships and confidence building as a youth, all while naturally weaving her character into an engaging story of family, animals and society’s responsibility to address the increasing needs for animal shelters. I loved her idea for integrating animal adoption into a more mainstream environment and loved the story! This would make a wonderful read-aloud to introduce further classroom discussion of many curriculum-based outcomes. It is obvious Heidi speaks from the heart.”

Michelle Dey, Elementary and Jr. High Librarian

“A charming story about an eleven-year old girl, Penny, who suffers from anxiety and finds companionship and comfort at a neighborhood pet store where she helps with the cats and dogs. It's her safe place, somewhere she can be herself and slowly build up her social skills. Penny is an imaginative kid and she makes up backstories for some of her favourite animals. There's Commander Click, the foremost cat expert on outer space, and Super Bobo whose job is to keep the citizens of Kentville safe. When Penny discovers that the pet store is up for sale and some of her animals may end up back in the shelter she, with the help of her new friend outgoing Ada, hatches a plan to find them all forever homes. A sweet and gentle tale about overcoming anxiety and facing your fears, and discovering hidden strengths.”

Jo Treggiari from Block Shop Books

“I just loved the creative backstories Penny makes up, mixed in with their actual backstories. This could be a great creative writing spin-off activity for English classes fortunate to have this story read aloud or assigned to them.” Read full review

Sue Slade, Manager of Dartmouth Book Exchange and GoodReads Reviewer

“Heidi Rushton has accomplished what I believe to be a great feat. With compassion and care she has given her readers a delightful uplifting story in the face of the heavy subjects she deals with - childhood anxiety and animal abuse - without glossing over the facts. Her sensitivity to her subject matter shines within the pages of this book.” Read full review

Lana Shupe, Atlantic Book Reviews and GoodReads Reviewer

Playground Adventure Guide: A journal and activity book to track playground visits and record family memories