While school is often a source of stress for Penny Maxwell, she is grateful for Valley Pets, the local pet shop and animal shelter where she volunteers. When she is helping take care of the animals, Penny is at her best. She writes wonderful stories about the cats and dogs, imagining creative histories for each one. While she is there, she can almost forget about the social anxiety that makes other interactions so challenging for her.

So when, near the start of Pet Tales by Heidi Tattrie Rushton, the owner of the store decides to close the animal shelter, Penny is devastated. When a girl who adopts one of the shelter cats comes up with a plan for the two of them to save the shelter, Penny is both excited and terrified. She is thrilled at the prospect of finally having a friend and working together to keep the shelter afloat, but how can someone like Penny, with her panic attacks and her tremendous fear and agitation in social situations, help raise awareness of their plight? Can she somehow find the courage to share her stories to help save the animals?

Penny is an earnest, likeable protagonist whose lifelong struggles with debilitating anxiety and paralysing fear in social situations are portrayed with compassion and candour. The author’s descriptions of Penny’s physical and emotional reactions are thoughtful and accessible, and will help young readers to empathize with and better understand those who live with anxiety and how it affects their daily lives and relationships.

The fact that Penny is able to open up to a few girls and make some friends who want to help and support her when they learn about her condition serves as a source of hope. And, while the story of a group of girls finding a way to save a much-needed pet shelter is heartwarming in and of itself, the fact that one of these girls has to overcome such major obstacles to do so makes it truly inspirational.