This is an adorable story of a dog that overcame his disabilities of loosing a leg. Dexter loved running and having fun with his family. He loved his life so much he adapted to his new normal by learning to walk standing up.

This is a great story to teach children to never give up on something you want. It also teaches them with life seem to get hard it can turn around and be positive again. I recommend this book to parents of very young as a read aloud, children of any age to read to themselves, and to pet lovers of any age.

All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.

I was not really aware of the story behind this picture book and holy sh*t did the car accident come out of nowhere for me. While being based on a true story is really cool, this might be a bit much for more sensitive kids. It does have a happy ending and some kids will really connect with it.

4 stars

This is a really sweet story featuring a pup with disabilities. As a family with disabilities, we love books that make everyone feel seen and it was heartwarming relating these feelings to a family pet.

Dexter features a pup that loses his front leg in an accident and how he overcomes his challenges. A very sweet story with lovely illustrations. We found it perfect for our family with middle aged children and it would be a nice addition to a daycare or preschool/young elementary classroom as well.

A charming tale of how Dexter found his feet. The illustrations are cute and engaging and the tale itself heartwarming. A simple story, straightforwardly told, that will appeal to anyone who loves animals. We have become new fans of Dexter and his videos after reading his story!

This book was both sad and uplifting. It is a story about overcoming obstacles and resilience but from a dog. It shows that whatever the species if you work hard enough you can achieve anything.I wouldn't recommend for young children however as it may be a little emotional. Would definitely be checking out Dexter's TikTok.

Such a cute, inspiring story! Dexter is a true story about a dog who lost one of his front legs in an accident as a puppy. Tragedy and bad things sometimes happen, but it’s not the end! Resilient and determined, Dexter learned to walk upright on his hind legs! Dexter inspires and shares joy and hope: in person, online, and through this book. With simple, thoughtful language and beautiful illustrations, Dexter the Standup Dog is a great read for kids.

Despite being a dedicated cat mom, I loved this story about Dexter, a true story about a pup who lost his front leg and learned how to walk using only his two hind legs.

This book is beautifully illustrated and lovely to read. I don’t have any children, so I am unable to say with any confidence the best audience for this book. But I would say that anyone who loves animals, especially dogs, would really enjoy this book, both reading it and reading it aloud to an excited child.

★★★★★

If you already love watching Dexter’s adorable videos on Instagram, this book is an absolute must-have! Dexter perfectly captures the charm and personality of everyone’s favorite little pup, and brings his story to life in such a fun and heartwarming way.

The illustrations are bright, playful, and full of energy—just like Dexter himself. Every page is a visual treat, and kids (and adults!) will love spotting all the little details. The message is sweet and uplifting, encouraging readers to embrace what makes them unique and to face the world with confidence and joy.

This book is a wonderful extension of Dexter’s online presence, and it’s clear that a lot of love went into creating it. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just meeting Dexter for the first time, this story is sure to bring a smile to your face.

This book is absolutely wonderful and a great story to share with young children (and adults, I loved it as well!). Dexter is an inspiring and amazing dog who learned how to walk like his human counterparts. He is on social media and it adds such a beautiful element to the story - I shared this with my children and now we have to check on him every day. The fact that they can picture him while they read this book is so helpful! A truly wonderful story of encouragement and perseverance. I also love that this book approaches Dexter's disabilities as something to adapt to, and not something to shy away from. It's beautiful!

Based on a true story. Dexter became an internet hit when his story was told. This story will be a perfect read-aloud for six to eight-year-olds. Dexter could be the perfect lead-in to discuss physical handicaps and what can be done to create solutions.

A rescue puppy, Dexter loves his new home, all the belly rubs and all the treats. And then his running gets him in trouble. Escaping from his yard, running into traffic, he is injured when hit by a car. He lost one front leg and the other front leg was badly injured. His family outfits him with a two-wheel device to help him walk. The problem - he can't go as fast as he wants to go. So, he learns to walk upright on his back two legs.

Dexter: The Stand Up Dog was such a cute and inspirational story! My family and I are huge dog lovers, so I was excited to pick up this book and share it with my kids. I hadn’t heard Dexter’s story before, so it was my first time learning about this amazing pup. After getting hit by a car and losing one of his front legs, Dexter amazed everyone by learning to walk upright! His resilience and joy are truly inspiring - he didn’t let anything stop him from being happy.

We were so touched by his story that we immediately checked out his Instagram - and now we’re obsessed! My kids and I can’t get enough of his adorable videos. We absolutely love Dexter and can’t wait to keep following his journey. Definitely recommend picking up this book! 🐕🐾🦴💕

Many thanks to Gnome Road Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Dexter is a story of perseverance and resilience told through the true tale of a family dog that gets into an accident. It is heartwarming, a bit sad, and hopeful all at the same time. Based on the true story of Dexter, the story is told through vivid illustrations full of color, with simple language and a direct storyline. I loved it, would definitely recommend it to kids who have had a difficult time dealing with heartbreak.

Cute and charming story! An absolute must-read for lovers of animals. I do have one gripe, though.

Authors, please check to see the age group you wish to target your books to. My kid loved this book, but I had to read it to them because they struggle to read irregular words. On the surface, this book is targeted at second graders, but some vocabulary words are more suitable for 3rd grade and above.

Overall, a really sweet book, beautifully illustrated.

I had never heard of Dexter before picking up this book, but this was such a cute story! The illustrations were adorable and the highlight of the book for me. Dexter is also a great story of how to get through a scary situation and the good that can come out of it with resilience and perseverance. I think kids would enjoy this, especially if they are already familiar with the internet sensation!

Everyone loves a dog story, and this one is no exception. Makes _me_ warm and fuzzy to read Dexter's story and how he now gets to stand in two legs. I think this is a really nice read for any age and I'll love reading it to my nieces and explaining how Dexter is truly out there!

What an adorable read. It was lighthearted and touching. This is a very cute book. Dogs are so resilient and overcome even the most difficult physical obstacles.

Dexter: The Stand up Dog by Bonnie Kelso and Kentee Pasek is a warmhearted true story of a rescue dog that was involved in a tragic accident. As a result he lost one of his legs. Dexter could have given up, yet he persevered and learned to walk. He went on to bring joy not only to his family but to many people especially children across the country.

Thank you so much to Gnome Road Publishing for providing me with an advanced reader copy of Dexter: The Stand-Up Dog by Bonnie Kelso and Kentee Pasek.

I absolutely loved this book. It was incredibly special to see the true story of Dexter—whose determination and adorable spirit helped keep my heart hopeful during the pandemic—brought to life in a way that young readers can understand and be inspired by.

The illustrations are not only vibrant and engaging, but they beautifully capture Dexter’s unique journey. This book is a heartfelt reminder that with resilience and courage, we can overcome even the toughest obstacles.

As a school social worker, I will definitely be adding this to my shelf. It’s a perfect tool to spark meaningful conversations with students about perseverance, positivity, and embracing what makes us different.

The story follows Dexter, a loveably playful pup that has a life altering accident that leaves him with three legs. This book will be great to use in lessons on perseverance, possibly introducing diverse abilities and finding unique life solutions. I'm doubtful to use during open storytimes, but possibly with the right group. Will absolutely use as a book talk book.

What a heartwarming story! Dexter shows that inspiration can just as easily come from the animal kingdom as humans.
Dexter is a true story based on a Brittany Spaniel that became an internet sensation after having an accident and losing a leg and learning to walk on two legs. This wonderful book is written in picture book format so children of all ages can enjoy.
Thank you to coauthor Kentee Pasek, illustrator and coauthor Bonnie Kelso and Gnome Road publishing. Also thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.