Children's Book World

About Michael Sampson

Michael Sampson, PhD, is an author and Professor of Literacy at St. John’s University in New York City. He is known for his collaborations with Bill Martin Jr on picture books like Rainbow Bear and Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3, as well as his college textbook, Pathways to Literacy: Process Transactions. A Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Sampson is published widely in academic journals and newspaper editorials and is the co-author of Olena Kharchenko’s The Story of Ukraine: An Anthem of Glory and Freedom. This is Sampson’s third dog story and follows his books Caddie the Golf Dog and Puppy Dog, Puppy Dog, Do You Want to Play? An animal lover, Sampson is happy that all profits from this book go to animal shelters and will help save the lives of homeless cats and dogs.

About JoJo the Tornado Dog: A Tale of Rescue, Courage, and Adventure

New York Times bestselling author and Fulbright Scholar Michael Sampson launches the inaugural title of Rado’s Press with JoJo the Tornado Dog: A Tale of Rescue, Courage, and Adventure, illustrated by Lauren Phelps. Based on the true story of Sampson’s very own rescue dog, this new middle-grade book sheds light on the importance of animal welfare shelters, animal foster parents, and real-life supportive rescue networks such as the Underhound Railroad. Told from the perspective of JoJo, readers will find themselves rooting for this Australian cattle dog as he quickly becomes the brave hero of his story!

JoJo wasn’t always JoJo — and he wasn’t always a Tornado Dog. First, he was Joey, the Australian cattle dog whom his family, the Bañueloses — and especially their daughter, Olivia — loved ever so much.

Joey had everything he needed: delicious food scraps, the freedom to play outdoors, and a nice, safe roof over his head — that is, until a nasty tornado swept through the neighborhood and flung his house straight into the skies of Georgia.

After fruitlessly searching for his family, Joey is discovered by a dogcatcher and taken to an animal shelter where he meets the lovely caretaker Camila. It’s this fateful encounter that links JoJo with the Underhound Railroad and lays the path for his journeys across the United States as he whirls like a tornado between owners and families of different backgrounds, escapes more death-defying encounters, accomplishes heroic deeds, and embarks on joyful adventures.

Follow JoJo the Tornado Dog as he discovers what it means not only to be cared for, but to care so much for all the world around him.