Rudy's New Human

by Roxanna Elden
illustrated by Ginger Seehafer

When we started Off the Shelf, we knew we wanted our logo to have the feel of classic Winnie the Pooh illustrations as well as communicate our mission of bringing books alive. Illustrator Ginger Seehafer perfectly captured our vision in our logo, complete with our very own teddy bear! So, it is with great pleasure that we present a book illustrated by Ginger, Rudy's New Human.

Lovable pup Rudy's world is turned upside down with the arrival of a new baby in the household. Peace, calm, and routine have vanished and Rudy is not sure how to handle these changes. Will his life ever be the same?

The illustrations really let the reader feel Rudy experiences, from his excited anticipation at the arrival of a new friend, to his disappointment that the baby is not what he expected, to the eventual friendship that develops. Rudy is sure to find a special place in your heart!

In this Issue

Baby Food Dog Treats

Kids and Dogs

Play with Clay

Baby Food Dog Treats

In honor of Rudy, we decided to feature a recipe for dog treats, and to connect it with the book even more, they are made with baby food! Kids will have a great time stirring and squishing the ingredients together and plopping spoonful on the baking sheet before they are popped in the oven. Fun to make and a tasty snack for your canine friends!

Note: When choosing a baby food flavor, make sure all ingredient safe for dogs to ingest. If you're not sure, check out the ASPCA's People Food to Avoid Feeding Your Pets list.

Baby Food Dog Treats

Adapted from Easy Two-Ingredient Homemade Dog Treats

Ingredients

2-4 ounce jars of pureed baby food, any variety. We used one with broccoli and one with strawberries.

2 cups whole wheat flour and/or oats

Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

Stir together the baby food and flour and/or oats until well combined. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the parchment-lined baking sheet, and flatten each ball slightly. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.

You Might Also Enjoy: Peanut Butter Dog Bones

Kids and Dogs

As dogs parents and animal rescue volunteers, we know the importance of educating children about the proper way to interact with dogs. Keeping everyone happy, healthy, and safe is always the goal, so we decided to include this guide from American Kennel Club teaching kids how to act around dogs. Although this document is geared towards older children, it offers some great points to introduce to young readers of any age.

Play with Clay

We've been wanting to play with clay for a while and making our own Rudy seemed like the perfect opportunity. This is a simple to make air dry version that is just the right amount of sticky to keep kids playing, exploring, and creating. When they are done, simply let the creations dry, then finish the dried pieces with paint.

Homemade Clay

Adapted from How to Make Cold Porcelain

Ingredients

1 cup white school glue

1 cup cornstarch

1 tablespoon white vinegar

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Place all the ingredients in a microwave safe bowl and stir until smooth.

Cook the mixture in the microwave for 90 second, stirring every 30 seconds.

Sprinkle some cornstarch on a work surface.

Parents only: Carefully remove the cooked dough from the bowl onto the cornstarch Knead the dough until smooth.

Place in an airtight container or zip-top bag and let cool overnight.

Create your masterpiece! Let the finished piece dry completely, then add paint.