‘If You Give a Mouse a Cookie’ author comes to La Cañada Flintridge Library

Children may not recognize renowned author Laura Numeroff at first glance, but if you give a kid a copy of one of her books, their eyes are sure to light up with recognition.

Since 1985, when Numeroff’s seminal “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” hit the shelves, young readers and their parents have clamored for her fun, lighthearted insights. And the author has consistently met that demand, penning more than 40 children’s classics featuring a lively cast of animal and human characters.

On Saturday at 2 p.m. Numeroff comes to the La Cañada Flintridge Library, where she will read and sign copies of “Raising a Hero,” the first in a series of books about service dogs. The author also plans to read “If you Give a Mouse a Cookie” during the free event.

Children can meet and learn more about real-life service dogs, on loan from L.A. nonprofit Canine Companions for Independence, and can enter to win a free plush dog in an opportunity drawing.

With still days to go, children’s services librarian Sarah LoVerme said residents are eagerly anticipating the appearance.

“It’s going to be really exciting,” she said. “Children will have an opportunity to see a service dog at the program and learn more about how they’re trained and what they do.”

Released Oct. 15 by start-up publisher Cleverkick, “Raising a Hero” is about a puppy named Max being groomed for the important work of providing service to a person in need. The story follows his stay with a foster family, and his relationship with young boy Sam, as he works to earn his signature yellow vest.

The title is the first in a series called “Work for Biscuits,” being created by Numeroff and Cleverkick chief executive, former La Cañada resident Sean Hanrahan.

Hanrahan said the collaboration was partly inspired by his brother, Devin, a young man with cerebral palsy who for nine years employed the services of a skilled companion dog named Ellie.

“She really acted as a social bridge for my brother to connect to people who may not have known how to connect with him,” Hanrahan said of Ellie, who passed away last year. “What we hope is kids would read the story and be intrigued by what these dogs actually do — that’s really at the heart of why we wanted to do this book.”

Numeroff’s appearance is one of several events being organized by the Friends of the La Cañada Flintridge Library to help locals engage with a valuable community resource, says board member Greg Waskul.

“I think we’re starting to see some traction,” Waskul said. “A lot of adults and kids in the community are readers and interested in knowledge. We just have to give them something that’s worth their time.”

LoVerme said Saturday’s event is sure to be memorable.

“The kids who attend this are probably going to remember it for the rest of their lives,” she said.

--

Sara Cardine, sara.cardine@latimes.com

Twitter: @SaraCardine