A Dog Came, Too

Joan Buchanan is a writer, storyteller and instructor and author of
Taking Care of My Cold.

A Dog Came, Too was one of three books nominated for the 1993 B.C.
children’s book prize, the Sheila Egoff Award. Ainslie Manson used
Alexander Mackenzie’s diaries to shape this story of a dog
accompanying the first European explorer across North America. The story
is historically accurate and told well, with the drama of a fictional
tale—it is truly remarkable what “Our Dog” went through. The text
is simple, direct, detailed, and clear, with repetitions of key
introductory words and short lists producing pleasing rhythms. This
historical tale is so well written and interesting that it appeals to
more than the primary-grade children for whom it was intended. It has
been used with Grade 7 students as an introduction to Canadian history
and they demanded to have all, not just part, of the book read to them.

Ann Blades’s illustrations are exceptional and thoroughly researched.
Much can be learned from the pictures. As with any good picture book,
the marriage between text and illustration is exemplary. Highly
recommended.