The 'Nothing Special' Boy and his Mango Muncher (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780646726458)

A heartwarming story ( with charming children's illustrations) about a lovable labrador retriever, his self-doubting young master, and family experiencing a series of tough times that ultimately bring them together.

Shy and sensitive Jesse feels 'nothing special'in his family of winners. He wishes that he could make his family feel very proud of him. he longs for the attention of Matteo, his champion golfer dad, and his big teen brother.

Thank goodness for his cheeky dog Ziggy who sleeps on his bed, and his best friend Raj who even helps him out when he is bullied at school. Ziggy looks like he will be top of the class when he trains as an emotional assistance dog but things don't go quite as he had hoped. Enter young dog whisperer Captain Cayden!

The family's life is turned upside down when Matteo has a traumatic car accident.Jesse's big brother is a problem. Ziggy's wise labrador friend Slinky explains the strange world of humans to him and supports him when he acts out.

The family is already falling apart when poor Jesse is diagnosed with brain cancer. When his dad doesn't visit him in the ward it confirms his feeling of being 'nothing special ' and he is very upset. Can Ziggy help out ?

Shy Jesse is invited to sing at a concert. Will he accept ? What happens next ? What makes Slinky especially proud in the new year ?

A warm hug of a book about longing and labradors; family and friends and how a young boy eventually finds his 'happy place.'