Book Review: Sydney, Bean and the Missing Gloves

Reviewed by Jaylynn Korrell

A charming story about sisterhood, friendship, and two very determined dogs

Even the bravest of dogs can be scared sometimes. Just ask Sydney, a Labrador Retriever who, despite the comfort of her home and her loving human family, struggles with being left alone—especially during storms and bad weather. 

To remedy this situation, her family adopts a new puppy sister to keep Sydney company. But things go awry after her arrival, and it forces Sydney to be the bravest she’s ever been. 

In Sydney, Bean, and the Missing Gloves, Janice E. Collins delves into fear, sisterhood, and the power of friendship—a touching little story that dog-loving children are going to adore.

It feels like there are never children’s books about female dogs! Boys, boys, boys—I’m tired of it! This one isn’t just about one girl dog though—it’s about two!

A sisterhood story for my dog-loving daughters—an excellent match.

Sydney is a strong and independent dog, but she craves stable connection. Bean turns out to be just the dog for her; they balance each other exceptionally well. Bean is young and rambunctious, eager to form a sisterhood. I could have easily read a story that was just them getting to know each other in the backyard, but Collins ups the ante when their human loses an heirloom and suspects the dogs may have nabbed it. 

If I didn’t love Bean already, I fell in love with her even more after seeing how eager she is to find the missing glove. She genuinely wants to make others happy, especially her new family. Her innocence, however, makes her place her trust in an untrustworthy character’s hands and leads her on an adventure she isn’t equipped to succeed in. 

Collins uses this situation to showcase the power of friendship and the strength that comes when you team up with others and work toward a common goal. There are multiple lessons to be learned from this story, but my favorite is about being there for the people (or dogs) around you. Bean and Sydney embody this idea many times, but so do their friends.

Sydney is written with such compassion and apparent love. So many dog owners are all-too familiar with their dog’s fear of intense weather and loud noises. This story will be helpful to kids who have pets with similar issues, as it shows that dogs have feelings similar to those of humans and they deserve to be comforted. 

These heartwarming messages are paired with delightful images of Sydney, Bean, and their friends from around the neighborhood. Their expressive faces really bring the story to life and show how much they care for each other and their family. 

Sydney, Bean, and the Missing Gloves will be a favorite for dog-loving children. 

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