The Fancy Schmancy Lifeguard

A Tale of Bravery (The Adventures of Two Travelling Poodles)

Children - Picture Book
41 Pages
Reviewed on 05/08/2022
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Gilda was born and raised in Australia. Her lifelong love of poodles began one day after school when her mum told her to take a peek inside her handbag. There she found a teeny weeny, fluffy puffy, black toy poodle puppy. It was love at first sight.

Deciding to make a sea change when her two daughters moved to England for university, she currently lives in London with her (almost equally poodle-obsessed) husband Julian, and their two beloved toy poodles, the REAL Buddy and Bella.

Inspired by their daily adventures, The Fancy Schmancy Lifeguard is her first children’s picture book.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Philip Van Heusen for Readers' Favorite

People who are different are often overlooked. For example, Bella and her friend, Buddy, are two poodles. Bella tells the story of how Buddy, often ignored, becomes a hero. In The Fancy Schmancy Lifeguard: A Tale of Bravery (The Adventures of Two Travelling Poodles) Gilda Boram shows how even small creatures can perform amazing acts. Although it is about two dogs, this story can be used to teach your children essential life lessons. Courage, perseverance, and friendship are all issues you should discuss with your children. Bella and Buddy love going to the beach. However, their lives change when they move to London and are not near the coast. Happily, their new neighbor introduces them to a park that has a pond and beach. Does Buddy’s dream to be a lifeguard come true and what does he have to endure before he becomes a hero? What life lessons can you teach your children as you share this book with them?

Children need to learn how to react when being overlooked. Adults often feel children have nothing to say or add to a conversation. Buddy knows that even though he is ignored and even laughed at, he needs to keep trying. Buddy has high aspirations and must struggle to reach them. However, after trying and trying, things change. Help your children learn to persevere and never give up on their hopes and dreams. Too many children are not taught to be accepting and loving. Help your children see it is wrong to judge or laugh at anyone because they are different. In The Fancy Schmancy Lifeguard, Gilda Boram lays the groundwork for parents to open a dialogue with their children on several social issues. Read this book with your children. You will be glad you did.

Vincent Dublado

You’ve heard about dogs that play football, but what about a poodle that wants to become a lifeguard? In The Fancy Schmancy Lifeguard: A Tale of Bravery, Gilda Boram introduces you to an ambitious poodle named Buddy. Bella, a friend of Buddy, tells the story of how Buddy would run straight to the lookout tower of Bondi Beach and is always on the lookout for swimmers in distress. Even if others laugh at the impossibility of his dream, Buddy is the type of canine who doesn’t easily give up. Unfortunately, their human parents decide to move to London—a place where there are no beaches. His friend Bella tries to console him by taking him to places of interest in London, but Buddy still keeps dreaming of being a lifeguard. But one day, a visit from their new neighbor, Contessa Giulietta from Geneva, will give Buddy an unexpected chance.

Is there anything more inspiring than watching someone who is determined to fulfill his or her dreams, no matter the odds? As a storyteller, Gilda Boram helps children discover their passion or bring it with them wherever life would take them. As a reader, I love stories that follow people or even animals, real or mythical, that pursue their dreams even when others tell them that it’s not going to happen. The Fancy Schmancy Lifeguard is a great story to open a discussion with children about what they want to be when they grow up. It is a story that also opens them to the idea of possible challenges that they could face along the way in reaching their goals. Julian Boram further puts life into the story through his solid and colorful illustrations that perfectly capture the story’s message. This is an inspiring must-read that children, parents, and teachers will enjoy.