Olivia Muscat (text) and Allison Colpoys (illustrator), My Name is Jemima: A tale of a Guide Dog Superstar, Scribble, June 2025, 32 pp., RRP $24.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781761380457
Jemima the Labrador is a working guide dog, and this picture book is all about her. Readers get to learn about what tasks and responsibilities she has, how she works as a team with her handler, and how she keeps her blind handler safe.
It’s narrated in the first person (first dog?), which is a fun and gentle way for young children to be given the information about what the life of a working guide dog is like. Jemima tells readers about how her harness is a sign that she is on the job. How she can help her handler find landmarks such as pedestrian crossings and bus stops. They also learn what can distract Jemima when she’s meant to be working, and how this is dangerous for her handler. Jemima also tells readers about how she gets to go to exciting places, especially places that dogs don’t usually get to go, like on airplanes.
The illustrations, by well-known Australian illustrator, Allison Colpoys, are attention-grabbing and fun. Similar to other books, Allison uses a well refined palette that features a neon highlight colour. They are a perfect match for the level of language used in the text and will attract the target audience, which would be children aged 3-7. They are honestly, just gorgeous images.
This book will be a great addition to children’s libraries that need greater diversity in their collection as it provides an example of the lived experience of a blind person. This is also a must for any families who have close relationships with people who use a guide dog.
Reviewed by Cherie Bell
