Linda Stone ties children’s books to pet adoption advocacy

By AI, Created 12:10 PM UTC, May 21, 2026, /AGP/ – Children’s author Linda Stone was featured on Close Up Radio as she prepares to release a new book, “Bubbles and Teddy: Homeless No More.” The New Buffalo, Michigan-based author is using her stories and advocacy to push empathy, foster care and smarter pet adoption decisions.

Why it matters: - Linda Stone is using children’s books to talk about pet homelessness, human homelessness and empathy in a way young readers can understand. - Stone’s advocacy also points families toward shelter adoption, fostering and community support options when pets are at risk of being surrendered. - Portions of proceeds from the Bubbles and Teddy series support local animal shelters.

What happened: - Close Up Radio featured Linda Stone in a two-part interview tied to her work as a children’s book author and pet adoption advocate. - The interviews aired Tuesday, May 19 at 12 p.m. Eastern with Jim Masters and Tuesday, May 26 at 12 p.m. Eastern with Doug Llewelyn. - Stone is preparing to release “Bubbles and Teddy: Homeless No More,” her latest book in the Bubbles and Teddy series.

The details: - “Bubbles and Teddy: Homeless No More” follows dogs Bubbles and Teddy as they visit a human homeless shelter. - Stone’s books also include “Bubbles’ Troubles,” “Teddy Spaghetti” and “Home Is the Very Best Place to Be.” - Stone said she wants children to understand that animals and people can both feel the pain of homelessness and rejection. - Stone said the books are meant to spark family conversations about belonging, kindness and how small actions can help. - Stone said economic hardship is a leading reason some families surrender pets. - Stone supports no-kill shelter policies and foster programs. - Stone said fostering helps overcrowded shelters and often leads to adoption by the foster family. - Stone highlighted Best Friends Animal Society in Utah as a place that helps animals considered unadoptable. - Stone advised pet owners to speak with a veterinarian before surrendering a pet, since vets may know families looking for a companion. - Stone said food pantries and “little free pet pantries” can help with leashes, food and toys. - Stone said shelter support does not have to mean donating money. - Stone encouraged people to volunteer by walking dogs, cuddling cats, cleaning, or reading and playing music for animals. - Stone shared an example of a young boy who played weekly keyboard concerts at a shelter to calm anxious dogs. - Stone urged adopters to focus on compatibility, not appearance or breed trends. - Stone recommended bringing existing pets or young children to meet a potential new animal to check for a good fit. - Stone said “Teddy Spaghetti” explores animal abandonment and was inspired by her great-niece’s request. - Stone said “Home Is the Very Best Place to Be” is aimed at preschoolers and early readers and introduces the adoption process with warmth and humor. - Stone’s website was recently revamped by her publisher and now includes book information, shelter links, volunteer ideas and a Bubbles and Teddy Fan Club. - A donate button on the site directs support to the Indiana Humane Society, where Bubbles was adopted. - Stone lives in rural Michigan with her adopted pets and spends time writing, volunteering and building awareness for animal welfare causes. - The Bubbles and Teddy series is available online and at select retailers.

Between the lines: - Stone is positioning children’s publishing as a tool for social-emotional learning, not just entertainment. - The focus on shelters, fostering and food support reflects the practical pressures driving pet surrender, especially when household budgets tighten. - The adoption advice also suggests Stone sees long-term pet placements as a compatibility problem, not a cuteness problem.

What’s next: - Stone’s next book, “Fun on the Run,” is on the horizon. - Her website appears set to grow into a broader resource hub for shelter links, volunteer opportunities and fan engagement. - The new book release should extend Stone’s effort to connect storytelling with animal welfare outreach.

The bottom line: - Linda Stone is blending children’s literature and pet rescue advocacy into one message: empathy, practical help and responsible adoption can change outcomes for animals and families alike. - More information is available at the author’s website.