March 14, 2000

Dear Sandra Philipson,

     Thanks so much for the lovely children's books. Max and Annie look like my kind of dogs…. I am delighted to have your books as part of my library…. They are marvelous books…..Springers are great. Our Sadie is a joy!!

With all best wishes,

Warmly,

Barbara Bush

Dear Sandra Philipson,

     Many thanks for your new Max and Annie adventure. (The Artist) It is really such a sweet story and has all sorts of lessons for children.
     You are quite a lady -- a real "Point of Light." I'm sorry that we didn't have an opportunity to talk longer yesterday. I needed to catch my plane and had to race.
      We are off today for Washington and the National Cancer Dialog meeting.

Many thanks again--

Warmly,

Barbara Bush

Sincerely,

Sarah Grade 3

Review of Annie Loses Her Leg But Finds Her Way

     This story of Annie, an English Springer Spaniel is a great book. It has the stuff of legend, of an epic. Annie, the three-legged heroine, is a character of noble proportion. Her story of fear, love, honor, mortality, loss and acceptance is told through her actions and conversations with Max, her brother.

     Annie had cancer in her left front leg and the story begins with her return from the hospital without it and Max's refusal to accept the situation. The humans (mom and dad) do their part to comfort Annie, Max worries, and there is a scene of epiphany for Annie when a Golden Retriever arrives on stage.

     It is a saga for children or adults who have experienced loss through cancer or any affliction. The little spaniel moves in her pilgrimage through sorrow to acceptance and finally, with joy back into her life. The illustrations by Takatch, a Hungarian artist of note explain with honesty and color the dogs' emotions and actions as the drama proceeds to its conclusion.

Helga Sandburg Crile (author and daughter of poet, Carl Sandburg)

Review in DOGS IN CANADA MAGAZINE --2001 Dogs Annual

Annie Loses Her Leg But Finds Her Way

     Annie the spaniel learns that life can go on even after she loses a leg to cancer. Full of love and optimism, this special book has helped children and their families cope with their own illness and loss.

December 7, 2000

Dear Mrs. Philipson,

     I am an aspiring elementary teacher, and just yesterday I read Annie Loses Her Leg but Finds Her Way to a second grade class, and they absolutely adored the story!

     I should commend you not only on your fine work as an author but in making anyone who reads your books think twice about how they treat people different from themselves. The students to who I read really saw the connection between Max and Annie and people with disabilities a lesson that is definitely worth learning……..

     Again, I thank you for your time and for the gift your have given to all who read your books

Jeff (North Ridgeville, Ohio)

November 13, 2000

Dear Sandy,

     The student and staff at Rockside School would like to express sincere appreciation for your highly enjoyable presentations during Max and Annie Week. Learning al the steps involved in the creation of a book is a high interest topic at Rockside…Your creative writing ideas are both imaginative and practical for use in an elementary setting.

     We were thrilled to have Robert Takatch accompany you and instruct students using step-by-step directions to draw their own Max and Annies. We have been bombarded with pictures since you left!

     Of course, the stars of the week were Max and Annie. Meeting the main characters of your books is an experience our students will ever forget. We look forward to upcoming adventures of Max and Annie….

With warm regards,
Julie Grygiel, Librarian
Rockside School, Maple Heights, Ohio

Dear Sandra Philipson,

     Thank you for coming to Rockside School. It was fun to learn about Annie and Max. It was also fun when we were learning how to write a book for 3 or 4 year olds. I think Max and Annie are fun. They are special to me because I don't know a famous dog or animal who have their own book. I also liked when we got to draw them. I told my family all about it. Thank you for coming, and I hope to see you again soon.

Sincerely, Kelly 9
(Sixth Grade)

" I met a couple of celebrities at last weekend's Cleveland Crown Classic Dog Shows, Springers spaniels Max and Annie, stars of the children's books, "Annie Loses Her Leg but Finds Her Way" and "Max's Wild Goose Chase." They were on hand to promote the newly published third book in the series, "The Artist: a Max and Annie Adventure in Imagination." In the story the two dogs meet an artist whose work takes them on a real flight of fancy and shows them that imagination and dreams can lead us on adventures of the mind. Large and colorful illustrations by Robert Takatch help bring the characters to life and beautifully illustrate the story."

LuAnn Stuver Rogers, Record-Courier, Sunday, December 24

I liked Max's Wild Goose Chase because Max learned a lesson. Max is cute. I liked the story and the pictures. Max likes to start trouble. Love, Hanna	I really enjoyed your book. I really liked Mr. Roughrock. It was really funny. When it comes out, I’m going to buy it. It was really funny when Max said "Holy horse poop." Will , Grade 3 La Jolla, California I really liked the Max story. My favorite part is when he came home with all the slime and dirt. Tim, Grade 3, La Jolla, California
I really enjoyed the story of "Max." It was and it is a fantastic book! I loved the part when the geese gathered up in a meeting. They were having a riot. I’m sure this is the book I’ll get right away when it comes out! I bet many children will like this book. Good Luck.  Sam, Grade 3, LaJolla, California I think the story was great and funny especially the time that it (Max) said Holy horse poor. That made me laugh. Bianca, Grade 4, New Britain, Ct.		I like the book Annie Loses Her Leg but Finds Her Way because Annie finds her way. Your friend, Amber
I like your book Annie Loses Her Leg But Finds Her Way. I liked the pictures a lot and the story. It has a lot of details. It has a lot of colors. Your friend, Ciera	What I like about your story is the part when Max got tide in the rope and got thrown in the witches swamp. The thing is the ducks didn’t know that it was his favorite place. It was funny. Elydia, Grade 4, New Britain, Ct. I loved your book because I loved the part when the gees they put him in the swaip (swamp) and he liked it. Angela, Grade 1, Olmstead Falls, Ohio
I think the part is funny ware Max rolls in the horse poope and the part ware the gooses pick him up and drop him in the swap. Ian, Grade 1, Olmstead Falls, Ohio Mrs. Philipson, I liked it because there was a lot of good words. Danielle, Grade 1, Olmstead Falls, Ohio I liked your beautiful art work and your wonderful words. Whitney, Grade 2, Shaker Heights, Ohio My favorite part was when Max got dropped in the swamp and the geese did not know that it was his favorite place. Kevin, Grade 2, Shaker Heights

Chagrin River Publishing Company Box 173 • Chagrin Falls, OH • 44022 (440) 893-9250 Toll Free: 1-888-299-8728 info@maxandannie.com © 2002 All Rights Reserved.