  | Lucky dog comes home Author: Spray, John | |
| Price: $23.26 | ||
Summary:
When George returns home from WWII, he would have never imagined he could be the one to restore joy in his grieving town. A story about hope, community, and overcoming loss.
| Illustrator: | Ritchie, Scot |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (-) (09/01/25)
Booklist (11/01/25)
Full Text Reviews:
Other - 08/18/2025 An animal-loving veteran builds community in this straight-talking tale. Growing up in Indiana, pale-skinned George has a remarkable affinity with the family dairy farm’s creatures-he’s frequently trailed by "the two milking goats, the noisy donkey, a duck with her brood, and some curly-tailed pigs." But when war arrives, he leaves for "strange, freezing forests, and bombed-out buildings... shooting and being shot at." After the war, learning that the family farm has been sold prompts his becoming a mail carrier, and the neighborhood’s hounds begin following him, forming a "daily dog parade." The event amuses everyone except one "sad and lonely" grieving mother-until George makes an animalian delivery that helps her to cope. Spray’s voice has a conversational quality that makes the story feel like firsthand family lore, while Ritchie’s loosely sketched cartoons capture home as a place of comfort. Background characters are shown with various skin tones. Ages 5-8. (Nov.) - Copyright 2025
Booklist - 11/01/2025 George, his brothers, parents, and grandmother live happily on their farm—until George leaves Indiana and becomes a soldier, presumably in the 1940s. When George returns home, he finds his grandmother has died and the farm has been sold. He gets a job as a postman, but his solitary work becomes a community event as a multitude of dogs join him on his rounds, resulting in a daily canine parade. George gets to know each family on his route. One woman’s son is missing, presumed dead from the war. George connects her with a puppy in need of a home. She responds by making George his favorite cherry pie, just like his grandmother used to do. The “lucky dog of the title could be George, the puppy, or both. The brightly colored illustrations and humorous scenes with the dogs contrast with the undertones of sadness throughout. Children may not understand the significance of George surviving the war and other subtext, but with an adult to guide the conversation, this gentle story could help children in developing empathy and recognizing kindness. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.
