The Birthday Box by Leslie Patricelli

The Birthday Box by Leslie Patricelli should entertain most young children given their innate fascination with boxes. Both my grandchild, Archie, and both my own two children could get a great deal of excitement out of a simple cardboard box. How many parents have ever given their child a boxed toy only to that the recipient is much more interested in the box that it came in rather than the enclosed gift. The central character is a baby dressed only in a nappy  and a conical birthday hat. His fascination with the box does in fact extend to the puppy dog which he finds inside it. And...this box is a big one, big enough to get into. The rest of the book deals with his imaginative use of the box for play. My grandson, Archie, loved this book and he is not quite a year old. The pages are brightly coloured and the characters dominate the pages.  Below is a nice little resource that can be used with the book: 

http://www.rif.org/us/literacy-resources/multicultural/the-birthday-box.htm

Spud by John Heffernan

Spud, a blue heeler, is born into city life in the times when owning a blue heeler was all the rage. However, she soon finds herself in the pound after her antics become too much for the family. Fortunately, one day an old farmer sees an advertisement in the paper and gives her a new lease of life as a cattle dog on his property where she enjoys the company of his other dogs Pup and Chester. Then, due to sad circumstances, Spud's fortune changes again and he finds himself with a new master, a cruel man with no real interest in her welfare. His down-trodden wife and young daughter do their best to protect Spud from the vicious outbursts of the man, but  it is not long before she is roaming the surrounding country fending for herself.  Parts of this book could be confronting for a young reader, as it deals with the realities of country life. Nevertheless it is a pacy read with never a dull moment. If you enjoy novels about dogs, this one will not disappoint. 

The one and only illustration in the novel

John Heffernan has a great website which is worth a visit at:
http://www.spudplus.com/wp/
There are two other books in this series: Chips and Pup.

Greyfriars Bobby by Elanor Atkinson

This book was published in 1912 by Eleanor Atkinson, and it was upon this version that the 1961 Walt Disney film called Greyfriars Bobby: The True Story was based. I have this film on DVD and it is available for borrowing by any student who reads the book. Considering that Atkinson had never been to Edinburgh, she captures the atmosphere of the city in the 1860s very well. Another book in the Little Library of Rescued Books, called The Story of Greyfriars Bobby by Forbes Macgregor, is a much more challenging read but gives a more accurate and more detailed history of both the city, and of the cemetery where the little dog was to spend most of his life. In the story the Skye terrier adores his master Auld Jock, and when the old man passes away, Bobby refuses to leave his grave in Greyfriars Cemetery in Edinburgh. During the day he spends time with the local orphans and eats at a local tavern, and despite concerted efforts by some of the city folk to have him evicted from the cemetery, he manages to faithfully return each night to sleep with his master. There is a small glossary at the back of the book to help readers with Scottish words such as fower (four), kirk (church), claes (clothes), deffle (devil) and so on...

Greyfriars Bobby by Ruth Brown

I loved the movie as a child and found it very moving. The original movie version was made in 1961 and there is another version which was made in 2006 which I have not seen as yet. The picture book is equally beautiful but the story line somewhat different from the Disney movie. This story is told from the perspective of two young children, Tom and Becky who come across a monument to a dog called Bobby and who decide to seek out his story. Bobby they discover, was a Skye Terrier who belonged to old Jock and the two were inseparable. After Jock dies the faithful little terrier spends much of his time sitting at his master's grave in Greyfriar's Churchyard. The locals are deeply touched by such loyalty and they ensure he doesn't go hungry. There are a few different accounts as to exactly what the true story was. In this story Bobby's owner is a catle watchman, hereas some historians say his owner was actually a local policeman. This book offers a walk back in time into Scottish lore and the double-page spread illustrations capture the 19th-century townscapes.

A lifesize statue of the little terrier was created by William Brodie in 1872 after Bobby died and it stands in front of Greyfriar's Bobby's Bar in Edinborough, Scotland. It is a popular tourist attraction.

For some idea what the 1961 movie is like watch the clips below. I have just bought the original movie so we can do a film study at school, or a book film comparison for more advanced students.

Selby's Secret by Duncan Ball

This book used to belong to my son, Travis. My daughter Nicola also enjoyed the Selby series and I have a tape of her reading aloud from one of the books which I must find some time. Selby's secret is that he just happens to be the only talking dog in Australia and maybe even the world. The book is made up of a series of adventures that he has so you can just read one or two stories in a quiet reading period or settle down to read them all in one sitting when you have more time. They are quite entertaining and not a super challenging read if you are looking for something light.

The Kingdom by the Sea by Robert Westall

Harry's family are running to the shelter when the bomb hits. As the rescue team pull him alone out of the rubble, Harry realises he'll be sent off to live with moping, fussy Cousin Elsie - the last thing he needs on top of the shock of losing his family. He runs away, meeting Don, a dog who's also lost his home, on the beach. In wartime every step is full of danger. Getting a meal, sleeping in a haystack, it seems that everywhere Harry goes he finds people full of suspicion, ready to turn in a boy on his own. But Harry encounters sudden kindnesses too. A family have left a caravan open, filled with tinned food for anyone who needs shelter. They all died when a bomb hit their home, but they help Harry when he needs it most. Joining eccentric Joseph Keilty by the sea, Harry learns to scavenge along the beach and makes friends with some nearby soldiers, until once more he is driven on alone. Meet the author...see what Robert has to say about cats!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrRP-FMSv0M

The Sonmg of Roland Smith by Jenny Koralek

This is Jenny Koralek's first children's novel and it is enjoyable, funny and moving. Peter Rush adds to the delicate humour and feel of the story with his appealing illustrations. Roby and Judd are friends. One day, they secretly borrow a young puppy from the Tyler family pet shop and the three of them have a marvellous time running and jumping and playing on the common. It is when they lose the puppy that disaster strikes; but is this event which also leads them to their first fateful meeting with Percy and to the events which quickly follow on. Percy is a blind girl whose bravery enables them to see their own problems in perspective. It is a little slow to start but I became more and more interested as I read on.

They've Put Custard in My Bone by Murray Ball

Published in 1983 the humour has not dated and students will appreciate the rivalry between Dog, the pampered corgi Prince Charles, and the ever-intimidating and invincible Horse, the cats who rules the roost. Most of the regulars are there: Cooch, Wal, Pongo and Aunt Dolly. Murray Ball from New Zealand does amazing comic strips. He well-known for his Footrot Flats series. This is but one of a staggering twenty-seven. These strips are based around the life of Wal Footrot's sheep dog, called the very original name of "Dog" and also other characters both human and animal that come into their lives. The humour comes through the day to day adversity of farming life. Dog likes to think of himself as tough and intelligent but often he is soft and a bit of a coward. Wal lives on 400 acres of swamp and is unmarried, but he does have an interest in Darlene, a hairdresser. There are many other characters but a memorable one is Prince Charles, a very spoilt corgi belonging to Aunt Dolly whose life is infinitely easier than Dog's life.

Here is a clip about the making of the film Footrot Flats:

http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/the-making-of-footrot-flats-1986

Lucky Star by Cathy Cassidy

"Don't judge a book by its cover." Now in regards to this particular book this is pretty good advice. I own a copy with this first cover and to me it doesn't look like it would attract too many male readers. The cover below this one might. The book is all about high school student Mouse, a budding graffiti artist, who likes to take a few risks every now and again and is not afraid of what people might think of him. However, he soon learns that some of the risks that he takes have such traumatic consequences that could change his life forever. One of the messages in the novel is about respect and the idea that it has to be earned and not bought or demanded. It also examines the importance of friendships and relationships. If you enjoyed our class novel Driftwood, then I think you would enjoy this one too. For more information about the author check out her website: http://www.cathycassidy.com/

Jake and Pete and the Magpie's Wedding by Gillian Rubinstein

This is the fourth in the Jake and Pete series and it is an easy small chapter book to read, and fun. It has quirky ink drawings by Terry Denton. In the Garden of Lost Things, Jake finds his sense of smell, but Pete can’t find any glasses and Bog is too busy getting ready for the Magpie’s wedding to help him look. I believe the four stories can now be bought in the one book. It is probably good to read the three preceding stories first: Jake and Pete, Jake and Pete and the Stray Dogs, and Jake and Pete and the Catcrow Bats.

101 Cat and Dog Jokes by Katy Hall & Lisa Eisenberf

Some of these jokes are a little corny, others might just make you smile or laugh inside.

Did you hear about the cat who swallowed the ball of yarn?

She had mittens.

Where does a dog go when it loses its tail?

To a re-tail shop.

There are Did you knows, puns, riddles, dialogues, knock knocks and much more.

A light-hearted read you could read in one or two sittings.

Answers to Brut by Gillian Rubenstein

I think this story would be suitable for young people between the ages of 11 to 14 years. This story is about a boy named Caspian and his bull terrier,Brut, which he really adores. Kel, a neighbour, decides to "borrow" Brut intending to only have him for the weekend. However, Kel's dad decides to sell the dog much to his distress. The adventure really begins when Caspian finds out what has happened. Brut has been sold to a dog fighting syndicate. This book won the NSW Premier's Award for Children's Literature in 1988 and also was Book of the Year for the Children's Book Council the following year.

Click on the following link to hear a review done by an upper primary child:http://www.queanbeyp-.schools.nsw.edu.au/web10/Uwan_activity_15_Brut.mp3

Thunderwith by Libby Hathorn

Following the death of her mother Lara is reunited with the father she hasn't seen since she was a toddler. He is kind and understanding but lives in the Australian Outback with his second wife and their four children He often has to spend long times away from home to earn a living. Not only does Lara's stepmother make it clear she is not welcome, but there is barely room for her (she sleeps on the verandah), and money is very tight. Even though there is some acceptance from her new siblings she has a difficult time at school where a cruel boy torments her on a  daily basis, trying to force her to give him the cherished coin collection she had shared with her mother. Lara's only confidantes are an elderly Aboriginal storyteller and a beautiful dog, Thunderwith, the latter with whom she meets regularly on the hill near her house, and who seems to appear whenever she needs comfort. I would recommend this book to upper primary girls. There is a sequel to this book called Chrysalis which I have not read as yet. I must track it down. There is a movie about the book called Echo of Thunder. Here is a clip with Libby talking about her books.

http://www.libbyhathorn.com/biography/video.html