“Winston the Traveling Dog Goes to Egypt and Jordan” by Cynthia Anne Finefrock

Winston the Traveling Dog Goes to Egypt & Jordan

Cynthia Anne Finefrock
Faithful Friends Publishing (2022)
ISBN: 978-1736945940
Reviewed by Leigh Kimberly Zoby for Reader Views (03/2023)

“Winston the Traveling Dog Goes To Egypt & Jordan” by Cynthia Anne Finefrock is the second in a series of children’s books featuring a loveable adventurous Pomeranian named Winston.

Hungry for a new adventure overseas, Winston pulls out his handy world map and books a Middle East destination to visit the same sights as his favorite movie star, Indiana Bones. Winston hopes he can also find treasures like the characters in the movies. Winston cashes in one hundred bones to purchase a fur-st-class ticket on an international flight to Cairo Egypt. Upon arrival, Winston immediately sets out to visit the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Great Sphinx.

After learning about the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Winston climbs aboard a riverboat to cross the Nile. Winston discovers strange creatures and hieroglyphics as he takes in the beauty of the Sahara Desert and King Tuts’ burial site. Enthusiastic to learn more about this region of the world, Winston travels to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. While in Jordan, Winston relaxes as he floats in the Dead Sea and enjoys a tasty meal while experiencing the culture of the Arabic Nations. Petra is the highlight and final destination of Winston’s Jordanian adventure before returning to the USA. 

Author Cynthia Anne Finefrock utilizes her expertise in photography by photoshopping her precious pup into pictures she took while visiting different areas of the world. This technique makes the story come to life in the minds of young children as they learn about historical landmarks and other countries. The story is written from Winston’s perspective, which uses creative made-up words, such as pawsenger and ulti-mutt to add a few comical moments and put a dog’s flair to the story. The book is laid out as a series of snapshots featuring Winston at different historical attractions throughout Eqypt and Jordan.

The simplicity of the story makes Winston The Traveling Dog Goes To Egypt & Jordan a storybook for parents to read to their small children to introduce them to the major historical sights of this region. As a homeschooling family, I would use this series as a steppingstone for preschool and kindergarten-age children to gain interest in different cultures around the world. I look forward to reading more about Winstons’ worldly adventures in the near future.