Description
Aladdin the Superhero is the inspiring true story of Aladdin, an abused pit-bull type dog, who despite his past, pays it forward with superhero powers of kindness and compassion after he is saved from certain death. His life inspires none other than animal advocate and legendary actress Betty White, award-winning singer and actor Harry Connick Jr, and a host of famed NFL players.
About the Author
Arin Greenwood is an animal welfare writer, former lawyer, and novelist living in St. Petersburg, Florida. She was The Huffington Post‘s animal welfare editor, and her stories about cats, dogs, and other critters have been published in The Dodo, The Washington Post, Slate, The Today Show‘s website, the American Bar Association Journal, and other publications. Arin is author of Your Robot Dog Will Die, published by Soho Teen in 2018. She wants to pet your dog.
About the Illustrator
Michele Ports Gargiulo (Michele the Painter) has melded her two great loves, art and animals, for the greater good. For every single sale she makes, she donates to an animal rescue. Since 2014, she’s donated more than $30,000 in art and funds. When Aladdin trotted into her life, Michele fell in love and immediately started painting him. She even designed an Aladdin T-shirt. She is thrilled that her art graces the pages of Aladdin the Superhero—Michele’s favorite pup, right after her beloved S’mores. Michele lives near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
About the Protagonist
Ryan Arevalo beat medulloblastoma at the tender age of 13. Doctors say he is now cancer-free. Ryan loves social studies and football, especially the Baltimore Ravens—Michele and Aladdin helped him meet the team! One day, he wants to be a CEO. Aladdin will always have a special place in Ryan’s heart: “Meeting Aladdin at the Ronald McDonald House was my favorite part of staying there. He always gave me something to look forward to.”
It began like any other day in early 2013. It ended with two lives transformed forever and a partnership that would change countless more lives in the best of ways. In the years since Michele Schaffer laid eyes on the pup she would name Aladdin, he has become a Ronald McDonald House Ambassador, helping children like Ryan. Named the American Humane Therapy Dog of the Year in 2017, Aladdin has appeared on television shows from Harry with Harry Connick Jr. to TODAY. Though Laddy, as he is affectionately known, has a more impressive résumé than most humans, his favorite thing is to sit in someone’s lap, and love and be loved.
