War Dog

In ‘War Dog’, Tom Palmer tells the true story of Judy, a canine hero of WWII. Known for his carefully researched, thoughtful historical fiction, Judy’s story is presented as a picture book, making it accessible to a younger audience.

Celebrating the courage, loyalty and intelligence of animals who worked alongside service men and women, ‘War Dog’ is a deeply poignant account of Judy’s life as she served on HMS Grasshopper and then was incarcerated as a prisoner of war, sharing the hardships of the crew and bringing them comfort and hope. Forming a special bond with Frank, one of the crew, her devotion to him speaks volumes about the vital role pets play in keeping people happy and healthy- even in the worst circumstances.

Written for a younger audience, the story does not shy away from the fact that Judy was badly treated and that the conditions the prisoners were kept in were harsh and frightening, but presents this in an age appropriate manner. The lovely illustrations support this, bringing Judy’s story to life, showing how she offered comfort, support and loyalty - and was loved in return.

Information at the end of the book offers useful information about Judy and how she was awarded the Dickin Medal as well as the role played by a selection of other animals- who could easily be the focus of future books! One of the many things about Tom Palmer’s skill as a writer of historical fiction is his ability to use great sensitivity and respect when sharing the stories of others, making their stories very ‘real’ for his audience and inspiring them to want to discover more about them. In ‘War Dog’, he has shown that he can do this in picture book form just as well as he does in his novels and is sure to lead younger readers to a love of history just as he does with older ones.

A beautifully written, powerful story- perfect for sharing this- and every- Remembrance Day.

War Dog: The True Story of Judy, hero of WWII

Tom Palmer, illustrated by Carolina Rabei

Scholastic ISBN: 978-0702325946

You can read my review of ‘Resist’ here

A World of Dogs

This beautifully illustrated book would make the perfect gift for any dog lover. Carlie Sorosiak’s passion for pooches is evident on every page as she shares a wealth of fascinating facts and amazing tales (or should that be tails!) about our canine companions.

Having unwittingly adopted an American Dingo, Carlie set out to find out as much as she could about her new pet so that she could properly care for her- and this sets the tone for the whole book. There is so much respect and care shown for dogs in this book- so much to learn- that is it sure to be as fascinating for those who know little about dogs as it is for those who share their lives with them. Having grown up with Retrievers- Flat Coats and Goldies- I read the whole book from cover to cover, frequently exclaiming or pausing to bore my husband with anecdotes sparked by the information and stories contained here.

As well as explaining how dogs have come to be loyal human companions and explaining how their doggy senses work, the book includes real-life stories about the bravery and devotion of heroic dogs and the many ways in which they support humans every day. Each spread is beautifully illustrated, and the information clearly presented in easily digested sections of text. A comprehensive index and glossary make the book very easy to use for research as well as an excellent text to be read for pleasure!

A World of Dogs

Carlie Sorosiak, illustrated by Luisa Uribe

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1839948497

You can read my review of ‘I, Cosmo’ here.