Summary: Hey, Dog
In Hey, Dog a boy finds a stray dog hiding in the bushes in front of his house. The boy instantly cares for the dog, bringing him food and water, worrying about him at night, and repeatedly trying to draw it out of hiding. The dog, obviously abused in the past, is cautions — afraid even. This picture book chronicles the boy’s efforts to love this dog out of trauma.
The Good
Oh, I loved this one. Animal abuse is sadly common and many stray animals are, just like Dog, afraid of human contact. The boy in this story is relentlessly sensitive, loving, and patient with the animal. Other things I loved about this picture book:
- A sweet, sensitive male character (always a plus)
- The fact that they place ads to find the dog’s owner
- Highly realistic plot
- The writing. This book would certainly be enjoyed by an older audience as well. On page 10 of my e-ARC, the boy is buying dog food for Dog (with his own money, no less) and asks the storekeeper:
“Is this the healthiest? Is it your best? Is the most luscious?”
The Bad
I did not like the illustration style — just wasn’t my cup of tea.
Overall: Hey, Dog
Hey, Dog is a sweet picture book about the power of love — especially when shown to stray animals. With lyrical text and a true-to-life plot, this book shows that children can be sensitive and that abused animals can love again. I highly recommend this picture book to readers of all ages and anyone who’s ever loved a pet.
[bctt tweet=”Hey, Dog is a sweet picture book about the power of love — especially when shown to stray animals. I highly recommend this picture book to readers of all ages and anyone who’s ever loved a pet @charlesbridge.” username=””]
Disclaimer: I received an electronic copy of Hey, Dog from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
But This Book
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What are your favorite picture books about dogs? I’d love to know!
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