LoveReading4Kids Says
LoveReading4Kids Says
March 2025 Debut of the Month
This beautifully written debut is both heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measure, giving us a sensitive and nuanced portrait of a young boy coping with grief and huge life changes.
Rhys has a deep love of dogs, which he shared with his mum who sadly dies at the start of the book. Together they would watch a TV show called The Dog Rescuers presented by Rhys' idol Dr Jimmy and on what turns out to be his final visit to his mother’s bedside, Rhys spots a lonely black labrador under her hospital bed and because of Dr Jimmy, he knows just how to care for him. His Dad has come to look after Rhys and does not like dogs and so this has to be a secret. The depiction of the dog is wonderfully ambiguous and keeps the reader guessing.
Keeping Worthington secret is even more challenging when Rhys has to leave his home in Wales, his beloved grandparents and move to London, where his father now lives with his new wife, Lucy, and baby daughter Evie. We can feel all of Rhys’s anxiety at facing a new school and finding new friends and his heartache and confusion in trying to fit into a new family where he is not sure of his place. Worthington is his only comfort. When Rhys makes a series of wrong choices, things reach a crisis point and Rhys realises he needs help and that he is surrounded by people who do want to help.
A touching and authentic story about grief, which has sorrow, but also moments of brightness, humour, joy and love. It also a tale about being open and truthful and about building friendships and very obviously highlights the bond that can exist between children and dogs.
The wonderful characteristically warm illustrations by David Litchfield only add to this memorable reading experience.
Joy Court
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About
My Dog Synopsis
A life-affirming story of the extraordinary friendship between a boy and his dog. Perfect for fans of Hannah Gold, Katya Balen and Patrick Ness.
Ten-year-old Rhys really loves dogs. When he finds a lost black Labrador with big conker eyes and ears like soft velvet, he can't quite believe his luck. Nobody comes forward to claim Worthington, giving Rhys the perfect opportunity to prove he's a good owner. But when Rhys moves to London to live with his estranged dad who hates dogs, Rhys decides to keep Worthington secret.
Struggling to connect with his dad in a new city, Rhys takes comfort in Worthington. But he soon discovers that looking after a secret dog is anything but easy, and he knows that before long he'll have to confront his fears and find a way to tell Dad…
Phenomenally moving and beautifully written, My Dog shows us that accepting the present doesn't mean forgetting the past - in a story that will live with you for ever.
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9780008658588 |
| Publication date: |
27th February 2025 |
| Author: |
Olivia Wakeford |
| Illustrator: |
David Litchfield |
| Publisher: |
HarperCollins Children's Books an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers |
| Format: |
Paperback |
| Pagination: |
288 pages |
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Press Reviews
Olivia Wakeford Press Reviews
'Incredibly moving, tender and heartfelt' - Hannah Gold
'A heart-melting book that shows us there's always hope and love to be found even in the midst of grief' - Nizrana Farook
‘A gorgeous, heart-wrenching story of love, loss and healing. This stunning tale of a remarkable boy and his dog will break your heart, then piece it back together again. I inhaled this in one sitting and absolutely adored it’ - Aisling Fowler, author of Fireborn
‘My Dog is a warm and very readable treatment of a difficult subject. Full of tenderness and understanding, it’s perfect for dog lovers and non-dog lovers alike’ - Adam Baron, author of Boy Underwater
‘An achingly beautiful story of friendship, hope and love. Heartbreaking, tender and joyful, this is a stunning debut from an exciting new voice’ - Simon James Green, author of Finn Jones Was Here
‘Beautifully and tenderly told. Full of heart and more than a little magic’ - Tia Fisher, author of Crossing the Line
‘A beautifully written, heartwarming story about love, grief, friendship and healing’ - Alexia Casale, author of The Bone Dragon
‘A beautifully written, tender exploration of grief and family that’ll break your heart and stitch it back together. Worthington utterly stole my heart’ - Philippa Leathley, author of Inkbound
Author
About Olivia Wakeford
Olivia Wakeford writes a lot about grief, which really means she writes about love. And dogs: she believes every story should have a dog in it! Olivia has worked in film and television, been a scriptwriter, dog-walker, PA and more, but her favourite job is writing novels for children. Olivia graduated with distinction from the MA in Writing for Children at Bath Spa University, she can ride a unicycle (badly) and is addicted to salt and vinegar crisps. She was born in Wales and now lives in London with her husband and their socially awkward Labrador, Obi. My Dog is her debut novel.
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