The Dog Emergency

The Dog Emergency by Sally Morgan, illustrated by Craig Smith (Omnibus Books)

PB RRP $12.99

ISBN 978-1-74299-135-1

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

The Dog Emergency is a new title in a series based on indigenous characters. In this story brothers Dillon and Ryan help an injured dog and hope they can keep him. Unfortunately Mum is still upset over the recent death of their old dog Buster. She has said there will never be another dog; it’s too upsetting when they die.

But the boys are determined to find a way to keep him. Maybe if they can raise the money to pay for the dog’s surgery? This plan seems to be working until, just when they think they have enough money, the dog’s owner reads the lost dog signs and comes to the nursing station to claim him.

Authentic voices and interesting characters with a hint of mischief come through the text strongly, as does the outback, small Australian town setting.

Short, with uncomplicated words, humorous illustrations, an appealing layout and light but universal themes, this is a great chapter book for early readers from the age of 8 years old.