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Patricia Furstenberg

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Joyful Trouble: Based on the True Story of a Dog Enlisted in the Royal Navy Kindle Edition

by Patricia Furstenberg (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.5 59 ratings

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Kindle UK Storyteller 2017 Top Reviewed
#1 Historical Fiction Africa
#2 Children's Dogs Books
Top 10 Historical Fiction, Military & Wars
Amazon Most Gifted Books

Discover the enthralling world of Joyful Trouble, a heartwarming and humorous story that will transport you to a time of good morals, traditional values, and unforgettable adventures.
Meet Joyful Trouble, a World War II Great Dane who was the first dog enrolled in the Royal Navy.

Discover how his love for humans transcended the ordinary man-dog bond.
When this gentle giant arrives at a Navy base, he sets out on a mission to win over every heart, even if it means breaking a few rules in the process.
Travel back in time to relive the beloved true story that has captured the hearts of generations. Follow the adventures of an extraordinary dog who discovered his true calling in the most unexpected way.

Prepare to be enchanted by the endearing bond between a young girl and boy and their adoring grandad. As you read this book, you will embark on an extraordinary journey that addresses universal issues, advocates for animal rights, and emphasizes the importance of standing up for what is right.

But wait, there's more!
This enchanting story includes a delectable Vetkoek Recipe and Ana’s Cookies Recipe that will add a delightful twist to your reading experience.

Joyful Trouble has been endorsed by poet Nada Sobhi and described as a story that unfolds like a captivating movie.

Discover a heartwarming story of friendship and dedication centered on a gentle giant who never used his tail as a weapon.

Join us for a special parade to honor Royal Navy South Atlantic Ordinary Seaman Joyful Trouble. Ana and Tommy are looking forward to hearing the incredible story of this Great Dane from their grandfather, a gifted storyteller and former Ordinary Seaman. Discover how Joyful Trouble's fondness for seamen and his exploits won the hearts of both the Navy and the town.

Joyful Trouble by Patricia Furstenberg is a delightful and moving fable that unfolds as a grandfather shares this touching story with his grandchildren. It honors the treasured moments of family storytelling, which are a rare find in our fast-paced world. Readers of all ages will identify with the endearing children in the story as they learn about a truly extraordinary Great Dane and a vital chapter in their grandfather's past.

Immerse yourself in this compassionate and heartwarming story, which has received 5 STARS from Reader's Favorite.
Prepare for an emotional journey that will defy your expectations. Dive into Joyful Trouble, a touching story based on the real-life adventures of Able Seaman "Just Nuisance," the only dog officially enrolled in the Royal Navy during WWII.

Patricia Furstenberg spins a lovely and refreshing tale of friendship, loyalty, and love.

Follow the enchanting story of Joyful Trouble, a mischievous yet lovable Great Dane, as told to his two adoring grandchildren by a grandfather.
Trouble's exploits will have you laughing as you learn how this quick-witted and unintentionally hilarious dog earned his place in the Royal Navy.

This book is a delightful and recommended read for all ages, from the story of how Trouble got his name to his heartwarming adventures in Simon's Town, South Africa, during WWII.
Prepare to be enchanted by Joyful Trouble, a story that will leave you with a smile on your face and a lasting impression.

ADDED BONUS:

Reading age

5 - 18 years
Print length

254 pages
Language

English
Publication date

April 16, 2017
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Review by Endija, aged 10

"This book is based on the true story of a dog called Joyful Trouble. Thereare three main characters: five year-old Tommy, his nine-year-old sister Anna, and their grandad. When they see a Great Dane in a parade,Grandad tells the kids the story of a dog he loved, called JoyfulTrouble. He remembers being in the Navy during WWII and meeting the dogon the way to work one day.

Joyful Trouble was a mischievous butvery helpful dog. The seamen got to know and love him and the dog wassoon part of the crew. Joyful Trouble and Grandad were good friends andwere put to work together. Along the way, the dog meets new friends,loses old ones and still is very happy. He causes a lot of trouble(that's how he got his name) but also stops fights and commotion. Inthis book, Grandad is the story-teller and Anna and Tommy are the veryeager listeners.

I love this book and it made me happy and, atsome parts, sad. It is also a bit funny. The reason I love it so much is because I love dogs and true stories. I hope others will also enjoy it. I would recommend it for ages 8+."

(Source: goodreads.com/book/show/34876880-joyful-trouble)

From the Author

I've often watched my parents interact with my children and noticed, with amazement, that special bond between them everyone talks about. It is an invisible string that makes them smile as soon as they lay eyes on each other and it pulls them together in a fun activity filled with laughter and giggles.

My mother is the one they would want for pretend games, yet it is my father they prefer for story time. Perhaps because grandfathers, with their solid appearance, are nothing but gentle giants when it comes to their own grandchildren and, admit it, nothing can compare with a grandfather's ability to mimic someone else's voice!

I still remember my own grandfather telling my cousin and I a story with Prince Charming which used to pick his nose :)

Ana and Tommy's Grandad from "Joyful Trouble" is just like this.

"Joyful Trouble" is a fun, heartfelt book for young and old.
I hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I loved to write it.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07227P973
Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 16, 2017
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 1967 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 254 pages
Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1549636022

Best Sellers Rank: #1,869,992 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #44 in Children's African Historical Fiction
- #181 in Children's African History Fiction
- #229 in Historical African Biographies (Kindle Store)

Customer Reviews:
4.5 59 ratings

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Patricia Furstenberg

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Amazon Bestseller and Award Winning writer Patricia Furstenberg is the author of JOYFUL TROUBLE, SILENT HEROES: When Love and Values Are Worth Fighting for (chosen One in Five Books Everyone Should Read in Their Lifetime), and new releases DREAMLAND and TRANSYLVANIA'S HISTORY A to Z. With a medical degree behind her, Patricia writes about unconditional love and war, while her keen interest for history and dogs brought her writing, through a perfect loop, to her native Romania, Patricia being the creator of #Im4Ro hashtag, sharing positive stories.

Her latest books, "Dreamland" and "Transylvania's History A to Z" are "a wonderful combination of stories, photos, history, and legends", "a novel idea and a captivating read".

Her contemporary military novel "Silent Heroes: When Love and Values Are Worth Fighting for" is a highly emotional read, action-packed, a vivid story of enormous sacrifice and bravery. "Silent Heroes" is a narrative about the value of life. A new look at the War in Afghanistan, at the MWD, Military Working Dogs and the brave Marines fighting it, but also at the Afghans caught in it.

Her historical fiction book "Joyful Trouble" is an Amazon Bestseller - read about real dogs caught in WW2.

Through her children's books Patricia is well known for her uplifting, charming themes and lovable, enchanting characters: dogs, cats, elephants, cheetahs, lions, but also squirrels and snails. Using her inner child she crafts stories and poems that are great fun, as well as teaching empathy. Her stories are filled with “creativity and vivid imagery” and she knows how to “capture the reader’s imagination.”

Her words “truly make the world a happier and more beautiful place!”

Her prolific writing is described as: positive, diverse, crisp, joyful and uplifting.

Patricia Furstenberg came to writing though reading, her passion for books being something she inherited from her parents. As a winner of the Write Your Own Christie Competition, the Judges "were impressed by her thorough investigation and admired the strength of her narrative; they were impressed by her style”. The judges thought Patricia's writing style is "well structured, with a great sense of tension and suspense”, “confident and intriguing”. The Judges were Mathew Prichard, David Brawn from Harper Collins UK and Daniel Mallory from Harper Collins US.

Patricia Furstenberg received Author of the Year at the Spillwords Press Awards MMXXIII.

When she doesn't writes Patricia enjoys reading, researching for forthcoming books and traveling with her family. She never counts how many cups of coffee she enjoys in a day.

Patricia lives happily with her husband, children and dogs in sunny South Africa.

Patricia Furstenberg Author Page and Blog: http://alluringcreations.co.za/wp/

Connect on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PatFurstenberg

Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PatriciaFurstenbergAuthor

Connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/patriciafurstenberg

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5

59 global ratings

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Kimber

Pick up a copy and fall in love with Joyful Trouble yourself!

Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2024

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Joyful Trouble was a Great Dane and the first dog to be part of the Royal Navy (officially). The story was told from Grandad’s point of view as his adorable grandkids, Ana and Tommy, listened with breathless anticipation as the tale unfolded.

Joyful Trouble won the hearts of everyone, including Grandads, and vice versa. This was a delightful story for young and old alike. The delicious-sounding recipes at the end of the story were a lovely surprise.

Pick up a copy and fall in love with Joyful Trouble yourself!

One person found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

A wonderful and refreshing read

Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2017

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A thoroughly enjoyable read for young and older readers alike. Based on a true story, it is an easy read that engages you from the first page. The author's attention to small details is lovely and refreshing. The two children have a wonderful relationship with their grandfather, who tells them to story of Joyful Trouble. The Great Dane, Joyful Trouble, creeps into your heart as you read about his antics and adventures. Congratulations, Patricia Furstenburg, I thoroughly enjoyed your book and your story telling abilities are to be applauded.

Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2017

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Joyful Trouble is well written and will appeal to young readers. This tale is of the adventures of Joyful Trouble the Great Dane and how he influenced the lives of all the people he came into contact with. He brought a lot of joy and happiness to those around him. The tale of how he became a part of some people’s lives can be retold to bring the same joy to others. Joyful Trouble is a great tale to read, it brings a smile to your face and can teach you life lessons.

The tale will appeal to the animal loving side of children who are huge fan of dogs. Life lesson are taught through the tale such as to be mindful of others and to always consider the people around you. Joyful Trouble is a refreshing tale for all ages and can be a tale for you.

Helpful

Pete Springer

A Delightful Tale of a Special Dog

Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2020

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Joyful Trouble is the true story of a Great Dane dog who spent five years in the Royal Navy in South Africa from 1939-1944. The story is told over time from Grandad's point of view to his two grandchildren, Ana (9) and Tommy (almost 5). Grandad served in the Royal Navy. Some of his tasks included making sure Joyful Trouble was regularly washed, kept his sailor cap and collar, and ensured that the dog stayed under control.

Joyful Trouble possessed many skills that made him a treasured mascot of the other seamen. He cheered them up when they were sad, guided them home when they had too much to drink at the local tavern, broke up fights between navy men, and even spotted enemy submarines while flying in an airplane.

Patricia Furstenberg creates a wonderful relationship between the Grandad and his grandchildren. Grandad not only teaches his grandchildren about Joyful Trouble, but he also explains mature concepts such as empathy and being a humanitarian. Both Ana and Tommy were likable characters. Tommy provides plenty of entertainment throughout with his love of playing in mud puddles and his funny use of vocabulary.

I would describe Joyful Trouble as a children's book for mature readers. It deals with some sophisticated topics in a sensitive manner, including Joyful Trouble's passing at age seven.

Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2017

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What a wonderful story. I was captivated from the beginning.

The special bond between Ana and Tommy and their grandfather is precious. The story is about a Great Dane's adventures during the grandfather's time in the Navy.

A delightful read!

Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2017

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I enjoyed the book immensely. Patricia wrote a great story. The humour is something I enjoy and the friendship side was heart warming.

Helpful

Chris123

Sweet story about friendship

Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2017

Cute and bubbly, this is book for little ones is all about friendship.

When Ana and Tommy go to a parade, their Grandad starts to narrate a story of his encounters with a Great Dane, Joyful Trouble, and the adventures they get up to together.

The story was sweet and the message strong. There were moments of comedy and verve sewn into the writing, and the book itself was a fun read. The narration structure was, however, a little overwhelming for a children's book, so that my young readers lost the threads of the story. A straightforward narrative or a less alternating narration may have suited the book better and kept the story at the forefront of the writing. Overall, a good read.

*Thank you to the author for a free review copy via #RBRT.

Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2024

Joyful Trouble by author Patricia Furstenberg is a delightful story based on the true story of the first dog enlisted in the British Royal Navy in 1939 in South Africa. The story begins with a grandfather taking his ten-year-old granddaughter, Ana, and his five-year-old grandson, Tommy, to the yearly dog parade in Simon’s Town that honors the legacy of Joyful Trouble. The children watch as the marching band and parade of owners with their Great Danes proudly march through the street. There is even a statue of this legendary dog. The children are so captivated, they must once again hear the tale of Joyful Trouble.

With a twinkle in his eyes and a little embellishment, the grandfather takes us through the many adventures of this amazing dog as he lovingly and patiently takes care of the children in their daily activities. The children are so enthralled with the story, they hang on every word spoken by their doting grandfather. I don’t want to give any of this amazing story away, but I will say the relationship between the children and their grandfather is beautifully and authentically presented. One of my favorite interactions:
“Grandad, you and God are a lot a like,” whispered the little boy peering through his half closed eyes.
“Oh, how is that?”
“You are both old and loving.”

I was just as captivated by the adventures of this sociable, active, loving, and heroic dog as the children. There was a lovely parallel between how carefully and heroically Joyful Trouble took care of his friends and the care the grandfather took with his grandchildren in stressful times. I highly recommend this beautifully written story to children and adults alike.

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Top reviews from other countries

Elaine Parent

Joyful Trouble

Reviewed in Canada on September 12, 2017

Verified Purchase

What a wonderful story told so beautifully. Many furred, feathered and scaled friends often helped soldiers make it thru terribly hard times.

Swati Rohidas

Joyful Trouble: A Beautiful and Refreshing Tale of Friendship, Loyalty, and Love

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 1, 2017

Verified Purchase

When I started this book, I was ready to cry to my heart’s content, considering this book was based on a dog. But instead, I came across a sweet, humorous and fun read.

This book is based on a true story of Able Seaman “Just Nuisance”, the only dog ever to be officially enlisted in the Royal Navy. He served with HMS Afrikander, a Royal Navy naval base in Simon’s Town, South Africa, during the WWII.

Coming back to the book, Patricia has taken inspiration from the story of Just Nuisance and written a beautiful and oh so refreshing tale of friendship, loyalty, and love.

In the book, the story of “Joyful Trouble”, a mischievous but a very friendly and helpful Great Dane is narrated by a granddad to his 2 grandchildren, 9-year-old Anna and 5-year-old Tommy.

Trouble was a friend of the entire Simon’s town, especially the seamen. So much so that, he followed them everywhere, and even helped them. He was a quick-witted and (unintentionally!!!) funny dog. I couldn’t stop from laughing at some of Trouble’s actions, that finally got him enlisted in the Royal Navy. Even the part how Trouble got his name, was so amusing.

Being a dog person myself, I absolutely loved this book. I laughed with this book and shed a tear or two as well. Overall this was a quick and very delightful read. Even though this book is tagged as a children’s book, I would recommend it to all.

5 people found this helpful

Lady Bracknell

Children will lose themselves in the story

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 12, 2018

Verified Purchase

This charming story of a ‘fine dog’ is based on the true story of ‘Just Nuisance’ – a dog enlisted by the Royal Navy. Both the real and fictitious adventurers hail from Simon’s Town, in South Africa. But the spirit of the dog is brought to life by the author’s lively storytelling. I fell in love with the enthusiastic puppy and wanted to know how he got his name. I laughed out loud at the scene where the dog sat in the Commander in Chief’s chair.

Besides entertaining, the story also educates children about how to deal with difficult situations. The story shows children that ‘Determination and faith …will always get you through the tough times.’
Children will lose themselves in the story while also learning about key qualities and the cycle of life. Maybe parents will be forced to pack a picnic, the book and read the story with their children beside a rambling river. Parents may even be convinced to buy their children a dog…

The story could be narrated to young children or read independently by older children. The story is ideal to use as a springboard to discuss positive values and to emphasise understanding when dealing with younger siblings.

AvidReaderToo

A True Furry Friend

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 6, 2017

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I came across this little story which reminded me of home in Cape Town many years ago when my family and I visited Simon's Town and posed next to a statue built in honour of a great friend - a large Great Dane. I loved the way Ms Furstenberg retells this naval story in the setting of a grandpa and his grandchildren spending time together and he relating Joyful Trouble's story to them. I thought she did a marvellous job of this loveable dog's passing - comparing it to the little boy's kite - even I felt a tinge of sadness for this dog who touched so many lives. I highly recommend this story to be read even to younger children before going to bed, doing so in the same way the story is told - every time the little ones visit granddad, he tells them a little bit more. The chapters are just the right length for such a reading session. I've sent the link to my 10-year old granddaughter so that her mother can download a copy for her.

2 people found this helpful

Amazon Customer

I simply enjoy every single page of this book!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 16, 2017

Verified Purchase

Such a lovely book!
This heart – warming story is definitely about friendship and the strong bond that links men and dogs…and what a better “lens” to see the beauty of this friendship than a story told by a Grandfather to his sweet little grandchildren…!
But this story is most of all about the transforming power of love. Even the title talks about this: even though at the first sight the words “joy” and “trouble” are mutually exclusive, the situation changes under the magic touch of love….and becomes “joyful trouble”..
I definitely recommend this book for both children and adults: each generation will find its message and certainly feel better after reading this well told story!

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