Our Chapter Book of the Week is the sort of book that you just know is going to end up with you in a complete mess of tears, nursing a warm beverage or better still hugging a loved one who can't quite understand why on earth you're such a blubbering wreck.
"What's that in Dog Years?" by Ben Davis, with gorgeous cover and internal illustrations by Julia Christians is indeed the perfect book for pooch lovers - but only if you can cope with knowing from the outset that Gizmo (the faithful and lovable mutt in this story) is living on borrowed time.
Everyone would want a doggy friend like Gizmo. He's fun, he's kind, he loves everyone and he's always up for a brilliant game. But Gizmo's young owner hadn't reckoned with the fact that doggy lives are far shorter than ours.
So he's determined to do something spectacular before his beloved poochy pal pops off this mortal coil.
It's time for a doggy bucket list par excellence, with tons of amazing things to complete. There's one small problem though, Gizmo is getting lazy and tired in his old age and insists on being carried everywhere.
Can they possibly tick off all the things on the list before Gizmo passes?
Any pet owner will tell you that the toughest part of owning a pet is knowing that your beloved animal companion won't (normally) outlive you. I remember growing up as a kid and having to wave goodbye to so many beloved pets. C has been unlucky / lucky in that respect so far, in that we haven't had any pets since she was born - but she's determined she'll have a houseful when she's older so this book will at least give her some preparation for those inevitable sad moments.
BUT, and this is the best thing about this book, Ben shows us how we can celebrate the joy of having a wet-nosed tickle-legged sidekick around for the time they're with us, and this book just shows how amazing it is to have a loyal and faithful dog as your best friend.
Can they possibly tick off all the things on the list before Gizmo passes?
Any pet owner will tell you that the toughest part of owning a pet is knowing that your beloved animal companion won't (normally) outlive you. I remember growing up as a kid and having to wave goodbye to so many beloved pets. C has been unlucky / lucky in that respect so far, in that we haven't had any pets since she was born - but she's determined she'll have a houseful when she's older so this book will at least give her some preparation for those inevitable sad moments.
 |
| Excuse me, I think I've got something in my eye... |
BUT, and this is the best thing about this book, Ben shows us how we can celebrate the joy of having a wet-nosed tickle-legged sidekick around for the time they're with us, and this book just shows how amazing it is to have a loyal and faithful dog as your best friend.
Sum this book up in a sentence: Humorous, heartwarming with a massive whump of an ending that'll definitely leave you with a few tears in your eyes.
"What's that in Dog Years?" by Ben Davis and Julia Christians is out now, published by OUP / Oxford Children's Books. (very kindly supplied for review)
"What's that in Dog Years?" by Ben Davis and Julia Christians is out now, published by OUP / Oxford Children's Books. (very kindly supplied for review)