Buehner, C. (2009). Dex the heart of a hero. New York, NY: HarperCollins.

Ruth Ralston

Fiction-Children (0-9 years old)

 
Subject Headings:

Elementary school

Dex The Heart of a Hero, by Caralyn Buehner, is the story of a little dog that is picked on by a tomcat named Cleevis, about his size. His big dream is to be a superhero and he decides that is just what he is going to do. He reads all that he can about being a superhero and starts training to be big and strong like one too. Soon, Dexter gets big and strong and starts helping out all around town, complete with superhero outfit and cape! Not long after, all the dogs run to Dexter to ask for his help in getting Cleevis down from a tree. Dexter is able to get him down safely, and in turn, Cleevis not only stops bullying Dexter, he also asks to be his side kick.

 

This children's book is best suited for elementary school children. In using this book, school counselors can instill two main lessons; the first that you should not let others stand in the way of you accomplishing your dreams and the second being no matter how little you are, you can do big things. Dexter could have let Cleevis's bullying and his size get him down and make him believe that he could not accomplish his dreams, but instead he persevered and made his dreams come true.