Finding Gobi by Dion Leonard

Dion & his dog Gobi will entertain, educate & inspire your students with their heartwarming true story. Finding Gobi, a little dog with a big heart who joined ultrarunner Dion Leonard during a 155-mile race through the Gobi Desert. Together they faced sandstorms, heat & wild adventures. But when Gobi disappeared, it launched an emotional and mysterious journey to bring her back—one that captured hearts around the world.

Invite New York Times bestselling author Dion Leonard to your school for an unforgettable author visit! He’s a #1 Scholastic Book Fair favorite and three-time children’s book award winner— he even brings the real Gobi along!

Perfect curriculum tie-ins for:

• Reading & Literacy – Engaging narrative nonfiction with strong themes of perseverance, empathy, teamwork & being kind to animals & others
• Geography & Culture – Explore the landscapes of China’s Gobi Desert and global cultures through Dion’s journey
• Character Education – Powerful lessons in resilience, kindness, determination & the human-animal bond
• Creative Writing – Inspires students to write their own adventure stories or personal narratives

A classroom activity pack with fun and interesting educational activities for both elementary and middle schools is provided as a useful tool to engage with the story both prior & post event. This author event will entertain, educate, and inspire—one your students will never forget!

	Finding Gobi – Picture Book (Grades K-2) 40 minute session includes live story time read with sounds, pictures and videos. Followed by Author Q&A & lots of Gobi. Accelerated Reader level 0.5 points. Children will be delighted by the true tale of Gobi and Dion – a little lost dog and the ultramarathon runner who saved her. Gobi: A Little Dog with a Big Heart is a fun, engaging picture book showing the friendship and kindness between man and dog in the hot Gobi Desert.
	Finding Gobi – Young Reader (Grades 3-6) 50 minute session; informative, engaging & interactive presentation with photos & video clips. Followed by Author Q&A & lots of Gobi. Accelerated Reader level 5 points. The young readers edition is the true story of hope, friendship and beating incredible odds between a man and a little stray dog. Includes fun facts & discussions about deserts, cultures, countries, animals, people, teamwork & commitment.
	Finding Gobi – Main Edition (Grades 7-12) 50 minute session; informative, engaging & interactive presentation with photos & video clips. Followed by Author Q&A & lots of Gobi. Accelerated Reader level 11 points. The main edition of Finding Gobi is perfect for middle/high schools, colleges & libraries; the drama, mystery & intrigue ignites conversation of overcoming adversity, resilience & never giving up, alongside delivering a wealth of inspiring messages.
	Where’s Gobi Seek and Find (Grades k-5) 40 minute session includes live story time read with engaging and interactive participation from the students to ‘Find Gobi.” Followed by Author Q&A & lots of Gobi. Can you find Gobi? Travel the world with Gobi with this seek-and-find activity book and discover over 250 objects, and learn about some of the world’s most interesting places that Gobi has actually travelled to.
	Lara Runaway Cat (Grades 3-6) 50 minute session; informative & engaging presentation with photos & video clips of Lara and Gobi. Provides fiction writing tips and tricks, inspiring everyone to write their own book. Followed by Author Q&A & lots of Gobi. Accelerated Reader level 10 points. Join Lara, a curious feline with an adventurous spirit, as she embarks on an exciting journey beyond her cozy home, discovering the challenges and joys of the great outdoors in a heartwarming tale perfect for young readers! Lara the Runaway Cat is the realistic fiction story of Lara the Cat (a real cat & Gobi’s sister) and her adventure that sees her travelling to Australia and having to find her own way home.

Books are available if you don’t already know the story!

Meet Dion Leonard – the Author of Finding Gobi

Dion Leonard wasn’t always an ultramarathon runner. In fact, there was a time when he struggled with unhealthy habits and didn’t believe in himself. But everything began to change when he decided to go for a run—and kept going farther and farther. He discovered that running helped him become stronger, more focused, and more confident, both on and off the racecourse.

Today, Dion is one of the world’s top ultramarathoners, racing hundreds of miles through some of the toughest places on Earth—including deserts, mountains, and icy landscapes! His journey shows that with hard work, determination, and a big dream, anything is possible.

Dion’s incredible true story, Finding Gobi, has inspired millions of readers around the world. He’s shared his story on TV and radio stations like CNN, BBC, and ESPN, and spoken to audiences everywhere—from schools and sports teams to world leaders and royalty!

When Dion visits schools, he brings powerful messages about never giving up, believing in yourself, and how one small dog changed his life forever. He might even bring along Gobi herself to meet your students!

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