Our Very Own Dog: Taking Care of Your First Pet

A delightful Nature Storybook about a rescue dog, packed with useful information and charmingly illustrated by Salvatore Rubbino.

With charming illustrations from Salvatore Rubbino, this delightful non-fiction picture book tells the story of a rescue dog. Sophie is a boisterous and lovable Jack Russell, brought home from a rescue centre. The book follows her delightful adventures: join Sophie and her new family as she learns how to respond how to orders such as “sit” and “stay”, is taken for walks in the park where she encounters other dogs and accidentally wins a dog show! The smaller caption text gives readers information about feeding and grooming your dog, different dog breeds, communication and training, and how dogs respond to human voices. The back matter includes a helpful index and bibliography.

Review

Starred review. A family lovingly adopts a dog with much preparation in this cheerful tale that’s full of helpful hints for aspiring dog owners. When Sophie first arrives from the animal shelter she finds a home equipped with everything she needs: a bed, food, toys, collar – and most of all, kind, patient people. Together they teach Sophie commands, walk, bathe, and play with her, and ultimately earn her trust. The astute 4-year-old narrator affectionately notes Sophie’s mischievous side, as the pooch digs holes and innocently snatches sausages from the dinner table. Readers will fall for Sophie’s sweet antics while absorbing useful canine information. Playful illustrations fluidly communicate various situations and the accompanying emotions of Sophie and her dark-haired, light-skinned family. Done in mixed media, Rubbino’s drawings are spontaneous and full of energy. He masterfully creates a pleasing and entertaining visual narrative to accompany a story that largely presents factual information. Complete with an index and recommended reading, McCardie’s text successfully twines fiction with nonfiction. Three cheers for Sophie! Perfect fuel for dog lovers’ fires. –Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Amanda McCardie has a degree in English and has worked as an editor, nursery assistant and teacher. This is her second title for Walker: her first was the critically acclaimed A Book of Feelings. Her other books include The Frog Ballet (which won a UK Reading Association Award for a substantial contribution to children’s literacy) and Davy and Snake. Amanda lives in London, N1.

Salvatore Rubbino is a rising talent in the world of illustration. His first book for children, A Walk in New York, was shortlisted for the V&A Illustration Awards, his second, A Walk in London, won an SLA Information Book Award, his third, Just Ducks! (written by Nicola Davies), was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal, and his fourth, A Walk in Paris, won the IBW children’s book award. Salvatore teaches on the MA Children’s Book Illustration at Cambridge School of Art and at Southampton Solent University. He lives in London, E15.