The Odd Dog

The Odd Dog is the story of a quirky stray learning to live with a family for the first time. After being discovered in the wild, Odd finds herself with a loving family but finds her odd dog skills don't get quite the reaction she was expecting. Learn what happens in this silly, sweet story about love, acceptance, and finding where you belong.

Leia Barrett is a former nonprofit leader turned children's book author. A musician by training, Leia developed a love for community outreach while teaching after-school band at an inner-city school. She was inspired by that work to seek an education position with a symphony orchestra and was employed by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra as their Director of Education from 2012-2018.

Soon after she moved to Kansas City where she served as Director of Marketing and Outreach for the Friends of Chamber Music, soon after becoming their Acting Executive Director. She wrote her first book, The Goldilocks Quartet, in 2021. She transitioned into writing full-time in June 2023 and published her second book, The Odd Dog, in February 2025. 

She currently resides in Kansas City with her husband Drew and their rescue dog, Layla.

Shannon McKeon is an illustrator based in Oxfordshire, England. She began her art education at an early age, absorbing passion and technique from her mother, who is also a mixed-media artist. Shannon now spends her time illustrating children's books and pursuing her own small art brands.

Melinda Martin is an accomplished book designer and publishing consultant, with more than a decade of experience in the publishing industry.

Like most writers and editors, I’ve loved reading since before I can remember. I also love the mechanics of language. I find the rules of grammar reassuring rather than daunting, and I’m fascinated by linguistics.

I was raised in Calgary, Alberta, and now live in London, Ontario. I’ve worked as a teacher, in the library system, and in the nonprofit industry – through it all, writing and editing have always been my greatest passions.

My debut picture book, Was It a Cat I Saw? (Amicus Ink) was released in March 2024 and is available wherever books are sold. My second picture book, When the Air Sang (Annick Press) is available for preorder now!

Outside the literary sphere, my hobbies include travelling, board games, and going on imaginative adventures with my young kids. I’ll never say no to a trivia game: I love Trivial Pursuit, and I’ve auditioned for Jeopardy! three times (no luck yet, though!).

• Literary Titan: Gold Book AwardJoint winner 2025
• Finalist: Wishing Shelf Book AwardNominated 2025

A friendly dog with unique talents discovers the joy of being loved for just being herself in Barrett’s picture book.

Before winding up at the animal shelter, an unnamed dog has made friends with—and has essentially been raised by—the animals around her. The birds taught her to “fly” (with wings made of leaves); the fish, how to swim (with snorkeling gear); and the squirrels, how to climb (“Sort of”). But when the dog shows her new adoptive parents all her talents, it simply comes across as destructive—she knocks over potted plants, swims in the fish tank, and destroys dinner while attempting to climb the tablecloth. Instead of getting mad, her loving mom and dad introduce her to a dog park where she can show off her skills any time she wants. It’s then she realizes that it’s “not always easy being an odd dog. But it helps when you find where you belong.” McKeon’s bright watercolors bring the dog’s whimsical world to life. Many of the four-legged creatures are slightly anthropomorphized; a four-page spread shows dogs at play in the park in unexpected ways—including holding a parasol while relaxing in a pool. Barrett’s prose remains light and comical even while addressing profound themes of love, acceptance, and adoption. The interplay between the text and illustrations draws out the best in both, resulting in a well-rounded story that is also a delight for the eyes.

Irresistibly adorable illustrations and heartwarming humor.

The Odd Dog by Leia Barrett is a charming picture book about a dog who never quite fits in. After being adopted from a shelter, the pup realizes that their new family doesn’t understand all the unusual things they can do, like trying to fly, climbing trees (sort of), and swimming with the best of them. At first, the dog’s differences seem like a problem. But with time, love, and a little creative problem-solving, the family finds a way to let their “odd” dog be exactly who they are meant to be.

I loved how this book captured the feeling of being different without turning it into something sad or heavy. The dog’s oddness isn’t a flaw, it’s just who they are. The writing is simple but playful, making it perfect for young readers. One of my favorite moments was when the pup tried to climb trees like a squirrel. The way it was written made me laugh because, let’s be honest, dogs are not built for that. The illustrations by Shannon McKeon added even more warmth to the story, making each page feel alive with personality.

What really stood out to me was the way the story handled acceptance. The parents don’t immediately understand their dog’s quirks, and at first, they even try to stop them. But instead of forcing the pup to change, they find a way to support them. I especially loved the part where they take their dog to a park where it can run, swim, and (attempt to) climb as much as it wants. That moment was a quiet but powerful reminder that love isn’t about making someone fit into a box, it’s about letting them be free.

The book wraps up with a simple but sweet message: it’s not always easy being different, but it helps when you find where you belong. It’s the kind of book that kids will enjoy, but adults will feel too. If you’ve ever felt like the odd one out or if you’ve ever loved a pet who was a little unusual, this story will hit home.

The Odd Dog is perfect for kids who love animals, for families who have adopted pets, and for anyone who enjoys a feel-good story about being true to yourself. It’s fun, heartfelt, and just the right amount of quirky. If you’re looking for a book with warmth, humor, and a great message, this one’s a winner.