Reviews
There are so many incredible books available at the moment that it is impossible to read them all, no matter how hard I try! Here are my thoughts about some of the books I have read and how I think they could be used in school as well as Q and A sessions with authors and illustrators.
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
