🏆 Official 2026 Entry — Next Generation Indie Book Awards
The Rescue Story That Started It All
🌳 Story Overview
This true story is where the Forest of Friends began.
On a quiet visit to the Humane Society of Camden, Serena and her mom hoped to find a dog who needed a forever home. They didn’t expect to be chosen. But when JJ reached out his tiny paw, something unspoken passed between them — a moment of recognition that changed everything.
How Serena Met JJ tells the real-life rescue story that sparked an entire world of friendships, empathy, and second chances. It reminds young readers that sometimes love begins not with words, but with noticing — and being noticed in return.
📚 Physical books and digital by IBPA‑member author Serena N. Brown
❤️ Inspired by real rescue pets & the Adopt‑a‑Heart™ legacy
📦 Shop updates, new releases, & classroom favorites
🐾 Why This Story Exists
JJ’s adoption is not just a beginning — it is the root of the Forest.
This moment inspires:
- JJ’s deep empathy for others
- the bond that later forms between JJ and Tank
- the creation of Adopt a Heart
- the belief that no one is invisible, even when they feel overlooked
This story honors the quiet power of being chosen — and the lifelong ripple of that choice.
🌲 How This Story Fits in the Forest
How Serena Met JJ is the emotional foundation of the MeMe, JJ & Friends™ series.
Before the friendships, before the adventures, before the lessons — there was JJ.
And before JJ learned how to care for others, someone chose to care for him.
The Forest begins here.
🎬 Emotional Tone & Inspiration
This story may resonate with readers who appreciate gentle, emotionally grounded origin stories centered on connection, belonging, and rescue.
Readers who connect with the heartfelt themes found in stories like Toy Story 2 — particularly the idea of being chosen and finding where you belong — or the emotional awareness explored in Inside Out may recognize familiar feelings here.
While the emotional tone may feel familiar, JJ’s story is rooted in real events, real rescue, and real love — forming the foundation of a world built on empathy and kindness.
📖 Book Details
- Age Range: 4–8
- Formats: Paperback, Digital Download
- Series: MeMe, JJ & Friends™
