If you are looking for a book to teach kindness, compassion, and other valuable life lessons to your children, The Gizmo Goes Book Series by Heidi Heisel is a delightful romp. This book blends adventure, heart, and a dash of canine courage. Starring Gizmo, a small dog with an outsized spirit, this illustrated series, which is brought to life by River Wilson’s art and real-life photos, spans five unique titles, which are aimed at kids ages 4–12. It’s a treasure for families and dog lovers seeking stories with substance.
“Gizmo Goes to a Baseball Game” swings for the fences. Join Gizmo, a Huge Baseball fan who is excited to go to his very first basketball game. He is even more excited to meet the team’s mascot, Chico, a little dog too. However, Gizmo gets sidetracked, and the day does not go according to plan. Watch as Gizmo makes his way to meet the mascot, transforming a bad day into a memorable one full of lessons and excitement.
“Gizmo Goes to Yellowstone” ups the ante. Join Gizmo as he decides to get a tail to fit in with his friends as he goes to Yellowstone, where all the park animals help him in his quest to find the perfect tail. On this adventure, he will meet deer, buffalo, antelope, wolves, birds, bunnies, and even a very scary grizzly bear. Your children will love the story, the message, the illustrations, and the actual photographs that inspired it all, making it a standout for nature buffs.
Join Gizmo on his 17-day, 6192.2-mile journey as he discovers America Road Trip in “Gizmo Goes on a Road Trip.” Gizmo’s 6,192.2-mile journey across five National Parks weaves history (Lewis and Clark, Bigfoot) with Gizmo’s fear-facing arc. The rhyme flows smoothly, and the photos elevate it into a 5-star travelogue kids will love to adore and read. ” transforms lockdown into liberation. Gizmo has been stuck in quarantine and is growing restless. He has watched enough Paw Patrol and is ready for something new. So, he sets off on a 6,192.2-mile Discovering America Road Trip, journeying from the Mexican border to the Canadian border and back again. Along the way, he explores five breathtaking national parks and uncovers fascinating bits of history like the discovery of Yellowstone, the glaciers of Montana, and tales of Bigfoot. Along the way, he meets Lewis and Clark and their brave dog, Seaman, who inspires Gizmo to be courageous, too.
The series’ strength lies in its consistency. As Gizmo's diminutive size belies his profound lessons, themes of resiliency, kindness, and curiosity emerge through rhythmic storytelling, striking illustrations, and photo finales that anchor Gizmo's stories in reality. These themes resonate with both parents and children. Plus, the history and geography lessons blend in perfectly, making it a teacher's dream as well.
Even though the road trip theme is repeated in two books and younger children might not understand some of the historical allusions, these are minor complaints in an incredibly charming series. Each book becomes a memento thanks to the brilliant addition of photo albums, and Wilson's artwork is bursting with individuality.
For dog-loving families, Gizmo is a hero worth rooting for. He is small, cute, brave, and is always on a hunt for an adventure. With his four little paws and a bright smile, he is ready to accompany you on your picnic and will make your reading sessions and bedtime more fun and exciting.
Available on Amazon for purchase, this series earns its high marks (4–5 stars across titles) as a heartwarming, adventure-packed read. It’s not just a story—it’s a journey you’ll want to take again and again with your kids always on your side. Highly recommended!
“Gizmo Goes on The Christmas Express” takes on a festive tone as Gizmo is overjoyed to have earned his ticket to ride the Polar Express. Everything is magical until he is blindsided by a horrified elf who wants to put him on the naughty list. Confronted with photographic evidence, Gizmo is forced to give back his ticket and try to keep his name on the Nice list. Can he prove himself right and meet Santa? Only reading this book will provide you with an answer.
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