A tiny dog, the runt of the litter, is born on a remote cattle station. She shouldn’t have survived, but when she is given to Elsie, the station-owner's daughter as a Christmas gift, and is called Princess, she becomes a cherished companion. Life is perfect … until War arrives.
With Japanese air raids moving closer, Elsie’s family leaves the Pilbara for the south and safety. But the small dog has to stay behind. Found by Stan and Dave, two drovers intent on signing up for the Army, but who have a mob of cattle to deliver to Port Hedland, she becomes just plain "Dog". But tragedy strikes and she is taken under the wing of a flying doctor, who calls her Flynn, and becomes a hospital dog and experiences the impact of war on north-western Australia. She witnesses wonderful and terrible things and gives courage to many different humans...
But through all her adventures and many names, the little dog remembers Elsie, who girl who loved her best of all. Will she ever find her again?
Told through the voice of Princess, this is a heart-warming story that not only tugs at the heart-strings but also brings to live the events of the early 1940s and their impact on north-western Australia, a region as geographically remote to many as it is historically, in a way that alerts children but doesn't scare them.
Many of Dianne Wolfer's books have an historical theme which brings the past to life for young readers (Light Horse Boy was a CBCA Honour Book in 2014 andNanna's Button Tin is a Notable for this year) and once again, her thorough research is a hallmark of this new release. There is a timeline of the events of World War II aligned to the events in the story as well as other historical notes, all of which not only add authenticity to the story but also provide new pathways for interested readers to follow.
Independent readers who like animal stories will adore this.
Recommended by: Barbara Braxton, Teacher Librarian, New South Wales AUSTRALIA
See more of her recommendations: 500 Hats https://500hats.edublogs.org/ and at The Bottom Shelf https://thebottomshelf.
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A tiny dog, the runt of the litter, is born on a remote cattle station. She shouldn't have survived, but when Elsie finds, names and loves her, the pup becomes a cherished companion. Life is perfect a until War arrives.
With Japanese air raids moving closer, Elsie's family leaves the Pilbara for the south and safety. But the small dog has to stay behind. After travelling far from home with drovers and a flying doctor, she becomes a hospital dog and experiences the impact of war on north-western Australia. She witnesses wonderful and terrible things and gives courage to many different humans.
But through all her adventures and many names, the little dog remembers Elsie, who girl who loved her best of all. Will she ever find her again?--from the publisher
240 pages 978-0143787457 Ages 8-12
Editor's Note: Not available for delivery to the U.S.
