Jan Ramage (text), Brian Simmonds (illus.), Dog Lost, Windy Hollow Books, 1 August 2016, 32pp., $25.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781922081612
To set the scene, the book opens with a quotation that includes numerous words that a young reader would not understand: ‘deceptively, inevitable, foliage, intricate, strata, pervasive.’ The story itself is told in simpler language, though some words will need explanation for younger children.
A large herd of cattle is being driven overland through wild country when the drover’s dog is swept away in a fast-flowing river. In searching for his master, the dog passes stunning gorges, waterfalls, glittering pools and gentle streams. He avoids being bitten by a snake and encounters numerous friendly birds and animals, all beautifully illustrated by award-winning artist, Brian Simmonds. A straightforward ‘lost and found’ adventure, the story is well written and convincingly evokes a sense of the bush. Although produced as a picture book, the engaging story would also appeal to older children. Ages 4-10.
Reviewed by Elizabeth Douglas
