Hachette Children’s Books ISBN 9781444955705 £6.99
Inspired by the authors own experiences with rescue animals and the darker side of puppy farms and animal trading, Moon Dog is a delightful read for children and pet lovers alike. We meet two misfits, the tall ungainly Marcus and the tiny but “tremendous” Delilah. Both children have suffered losses, have parents with troubling issues and both are absolutely mad about dogs. Each chapter switches between the two protagonists’ viewpoints which varies the narrative neatly and moves the busy plot along well. As the story progresses, themes such as dealing with loss, the power of good friendships, and the love that a pet can provide are gently introduced to the reader. At the core of the story, author Jane Eldon, an advocate for the dog rehoming charity, All Dogs Matter, weaves in useful messages about the responsibility of owning and buying pets.
Be warned though, if you have a child hankering for a puppy, this book will lead them in the right direction and give useful advice, but not help if your answer to “can we have a dog?” is supposed to be a firm no!
Hilary Payne
