phoebe the purring dog is a short children's book based on the author's dog that would be great for those five years old and younger. the book introduces phoebe, a dog who makes a purring sound when she is happy, unlike most dogs. the book follows phoebe and her mom as they realize she does not have all the skills of a cat and does not have the same interests as other dogs, making her unique. nonetheless, phoebe is a happy dog who is proud of her special ability to purr. this conclusion emphasizes that being different from others is more than okay, and that kids should be proud of what makes them different from others. once the story ends, there are three bonus pages where you and your child can search for phoebe's favorite toy, "llama." about the author: sydney morris is currently a phd student studying engineering while residing in new england. her 2-year-old shih tzu, phoebe, along with her favorite llama toy, inspired this story. phoebe's mom believes the "purring" sound is her pup's unique version of a happy cry. she hopes you enjoy the book!