Send kids back to school with kindness!
August 15th, 2026
By Karly Noel, Vice President of Operations and Education –
Author, retired teacher, and RedRover Readers-trained educator, Brenda Fiorini, is on a mission to spread kindness and teach pet care through her children’s books. She had authored two children’s books prior to taking the RedRover Readers workshop in 2012, and has written eight more! We asked Brenda about her mission, her hopes for the future of education, and, of course, her favorite books.
Of all of the books she has written, her favorite is Rescue Pup. “It carries a simple but powerful message: every pet deserves a loving home, a safe place to belong…every animal has feelings, needs love and care, and deserves someone who will never give up on them,” Brenda lamented.
As a teacher, Brenda worked with Granny Rose Animal Shelter in Dixon, Illinois, to develop a humane education program that reached elementary school students.
“Rescue Pup and Rescue Kitty were provided to every first-grade student and their teachers…I want to encourage my readers to always be courageous and brave by choosing to be an upstander rather than a bystander. Being an upstander means having the courage to speak up, take action, and stand up for those who cannot speak for themselves – especially animals.”
“All of the books in the RedRover Readers program are outstanding examples of literature for children,” Brenda said, “But Nobody’s Cats holds a particularly special place in my heart. Nobody’s Cats offers hope. The homeless cats and kittens in the story find love, care, and assistance, reminding readers that compassion can change lives.”
“I hope to inspire young readers to become responsible and loving pet guardians, develop compassion for animals in need, and discover ways they can become active citizens who help animals. The work that began in my classroom continues through every story I write – with the hope that each book plants another small seed of kindness.”
Brenda is now the author of ten humane-themed children’s books, including the new Puppy Love Promises that will soon be added to our Recommended Books with Humane Themes book list!
