“I am a niece of Woodrow Wilson Rawls. I don’t know why, but in our family we called him “Doc.” My Uncle Doc was a tall, thin, mild-mannered man larger than life to me as a child. He always had a story of his adventures to tell whether it was in my Grandma’s living room, around a hunting campfire or waiting patiently for fish to bite. His voice was mellow, low tone and soothing.

— Patti Rawls, Woody’s niece

“‘Dreams can come true’ is one of Woody’s messages to young people –and to everyone. Through Woody and Sophie’s determination, dreams did come true. We wish, through this beautiful book and story of his life, that children will continue to be inspired by Woody and his stories.” 
— Mary Wedig and Jane Zwiefelhofer, nieces of Sophie Rawls

Advance Review

The fear that many creatives feel when it comes to sharing their work—and exposing their own imperfections—is deeply, deeply relatable… Just such a beautiful picture of love triumphing over fear… I love Where the Red Fern Grows, and I love Rogers’s book about the man who wrote it. I give my HEARTFELT recommendation of this commendable work of children’s non-fiction, and hope that many parents, children, and educators will read it.” 
 —Victoria M, Essa Public Library, Canada