My Dog Max, by Alan Dapré (illustrated by Alex Ayliffe) is from the same team as produced the fun and lively Grizzly Ben. Aimed at pre school and early years children there is plenty within the unfolding story and the colourful illustrations to keep the target audience, and those who read to them, engaged and entertained.
The protagonist is a little girl who loves dogs and longs to have one of her own. Her parents are, naturally, a little hesitant. They point out that a dog is a long term commitment requiring dedicated care and attention, every day. It needs to be fed; it needs to be walked; it’s ‘you-know-what’ needs to be dealt with. The little girl believes she can provide all of this. She makes a dog out of junk but it’s not the same.
Eventually her dad agrees to take her to Doggy Den, a rescue centre. But will she be allowed to take the adorable dog she finds there home?
“He’s big, bouncy and very
friendly. Max would love
to live in a happy
home and play all day!”
They can’t just walk out with him and on their way home on the bus the little girl misses Max already.
The illustrations that sit alongside the zippy and free flowing text complement it perfectly. The little girl’s world and mindset are captured alongside many additional points of interest. A cat is an important and amusing character despite not warranting a mention. Within each page there are toys, a certain book, and the jumpers knitted by the girl’s Papa as recurring themes.
What is being depicted is a happy childhood but one lacking a vital and desperately desired element. Be warned, young readers may well develop the same desire for a doggy companion as the little girl.
“We both jump about like excited puppies,
until the lady tells me it is time to go. Oh NO!”
It will come as no surprise to discover this story has a happy ending, one that brought a lump to the throat of this normally very unmoved reader. I particularly liked that the process of adopting a rescue dog is covered. They don’t just get given to anyone. That Max is based on the author’s own rescued pet adds another dimension of interest.
These aspects need not concern the youngsters the book is aimed at. They will enjoy the energetic and colourful presentation, the story of a child whose parents explain responsibilities carefully but who also listen generously. I loved My Dog Max and can see it will have broad appeal.
A book that may be returned to regularly and still retain interest among its young readers.
My Dog Max is published by Little Door Books. It is available to buy now from Bert’s Books who offer free postage to UK addresses.
