If you have a pet, you understand the unique and special bond that forms between you and your animal. For families with rescue animals, that connection often carries another story, a story of survival, resilience, or loss.\n<\/p>\n
Bestselling children\u2019s book author Michael Sampson aims to spotlight this type of story in his upcoming book, JoJo the Tornado Dog: A Tale of Rescue, Courage, and Family, set to release this spring. And Parents is proud to reveal the book’s cover.\n<\/p>\n
You might recognize Sampson\u2019s name from some of the most beloved children\u2019s books, including the Brown Bear, Brown Bear Series and Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3.\u00a0But what makes Sampson\u2019s new book, JoJo the Tornado Dog, special is that all of the book’s proceeds will be donated to Operation Kindness\u2014an organization whose mission is to support animal welfare and adoption efforts for our furry friends.\n<\/p>\n
All About JoJo the Tornado Dog <\/p>\n
JoJo the Tornado Dog is based on a true story of Sampson\u2019s own rescue pup, JoJo. JoJo was separated from his family during a tornado when it hit his home in Georgia. He was later rescued by Underhound Railroad,<\/a> the organization through which Sampson adopted him.\n<\/p>\n \u201cMost of the things that happened [in the book] were really things that happened in JoJo\u2019s life and in our lives,\u201d Sampson shares.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n At the time, Sampson and his family were grieving the recent loss of their beloved dog, Caddie, who inspired another one of his books, Caddie the Golf Dog.<\/a> But Sampson and his young daughter were told by the shelter that a new Blue Heeler<\/a> (just like Bluey<\/a>!) had just been dropped off. That dog was JoJo. They were asked if they\u2019d like to come to meet him.\n<\/p>\n Sampson wasn\u2019t expecting to adopt a dog when he went to the shelter, but as he recalls, \u201cWe took JoJo home with us that day because everyone fell in love with him. He was 1 year old. He had a limp because he had been in a tornado.\u201d\n<\/p>\n Once JoJo arrived at his new home, he fit in right away.\n<\/p>\n \u201cJoJo is a phenomenal dog, truly part of the family,\u201d Sampson says. \u201cHe is almost human, so loving and so caring, everything you could dream of in a dog.\u201d\n<\/p>\n The story of JoJo the Tornado Dog is packed full of real-life moments and heartwarming doggy adventures that Sampson and his family share with their beloved rescue dog.<\/p>\n A Children’s Book That Makes a Difference <\/p>\n Sampson, along with Milli Brown, the Founder and CEO of Brown Books Publishing Group, are partnering with Operation Kindness for the sale of this new book. Brown is launching a new nonprofit imprint, Rado’s Press, a publishing group that will donate all of its proceeds to Operation Kindness.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Sampson\u2019s new book, JoJo the Tornado Dog: A Tale of Rescue, Courage, and Family, is the first title launched under this important imprint.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n A lifelong dog lover and passionate advocate<\/a> for rescue animals, Sampson\u2019s alignment with Operation Kindness and Rado\u2019s Press felt like a natural next step to him.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Brown remembers how their collaboration began.\n<\/p>\n \u201cWe were at a publishing conference, and all he did was talk about his dog. I knew then that he was as fanatical and in love with his dog as I am. We were kindred spirits,\u201d she explains.\n<\/p>\n When Brown discussed this non-profit idea with Sampson, he offered to write the first story, which we know is JoJo\u2019s story, and everything fell into place.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \u201cFor him to offer to write this story was just wonderful. I thought, wow,\u00a0it’s meant to happen now! It’s coming together beautifully. I want a New York Times bestseller,\u201d she exclaims.\n<\/p>\n With so much passion behind the project, Rado\u2019s Press is definitely off to a great start.\n<\/p>\n Sampson\u2019s Career and His Hopes for Rado\u2019s Press Non-Profit <\/p>\n