Take home an unbelievable and humorous true story of an incredible dog and how he found his true, yet unexpected calling. You will love the moving tale of Joyful Trouble, a dog whose love for humans went beyond any human-dog connection. When a Great Dane arrives in a Navy base nobody expects him to win everybody’s hearts, although breaking some rules along the way. With challenges arising along the way, who will stand up for this four-legged gentle giant?
A story that reads like a movie. A charming celebration of innocence.
NEW EDITION: Over 30 illustrations
Patricia Furstenberg paints a charming portrait of the bond between a small girl and boy and their much-loved Grandad. This book takes readers on an unbelievable journey, tackling universal themes and voicing animal rights and the importance of fighting for what is right.
Enjoy a heartwarming, too-good-to-be-true tale of friendship and dedication, an engaging and fun read about a gentle giant which never used his tail as a weapon, Joyful Trouble: Based on the True Story of a Dog Enlisted in the Royal Navy by Patricia Furstenberg.
It is Parade Day, a very special day to remember a very special Royal Navy South Atlantic Ordinary Seaman. The parade was in honor and in memory of Joyful Trouble, a kind dog and an Ordinary Seaman, a Great Dane with a purpose. Ana and her younger brother, Tommy, are excited about the parade, but more than anything they want to hear the story about Joyful Trouble because their grandfather, a great storyteller, had once been an Ordinary Seaman, and it had been his responsibility to look after and look out for this Great Dane. The dog had an affection towards men of the sea and had caught the Navy’s and the town’s attention on more than one occasion due to his wanderings and traveling the train along with the seamen.
“Patricia C. Furstenberg’s young people’s short chapter book, Joyful Trouble, is an amusing and fascinating fable, a story telling the life of one Great Dane in his role as an Ordinary Seaman in the Second World War. The story unravels as the grandfather, who, as a young man, was given the care and responsibility of this Great Dane, tells the story to his young grandchildren. It sparkles with good, old fashioned family time and family storytelling, treasured childhood moments that sadly get lost too often in this fast-paced world. The young reader will quickly warm up to the young children in the story as they learn about a very special Great Dane as well as a vital part of their grandfather’s past. This is a compassionate and heart-warming story” Reader’s Favorite
“When I started this book, I was ready to cry to my heart’s content, considering this book was based on a dog. But instead, I came across a sweet, humorous and fun read. This book is based on a true story of Able Seaman “Just Nuisance”, the only dog ever to be officially enlisted in the Royal Navy. He served with HMS Afrikander, a Royal Navy naval base in Simon’s Town, South Africa, during the WWII.
Patricia has written a beautiful and oh so refreshing tale of friendship, loyalty, and love.
In the book, the story of “Joyful Trouble”, a mischievous but a very friendly and helpful Great Dane is narrated by a granddad to his 2 grandchildren, 9-year-old Anna and 5-year-old Tommy.
Trouble was a friend of the entire Simon’s town, especially the seamen. So much so that, he followed them everywhere, and even helped them. He was a quick-witted and (unintentionally!!!) funny dog. I couldn’t stop from laughing at some of Trouble’s actions, that finally got him enlisted in the Royal Navy. Even the part how Trouble got his name, was so amusing.
Being a dog person myself, I absolutely loved this book. I laughed with this book and shed a tear or two as well. Overall this was a quick and very delightful read. Even though this book is tagged as a children’s book, I would
