Lost in the Wild: A Dogs' Tale product reviews

Books based on true stories are entertaining for children but at the same time they educate in a subtle way. This story emphasises survival skills, including the importance of not getting separated from your party when you are in unfamiliar places. It also demonstrates the role of relationships between people and their pets, and the recognition that sometimes animals will choose their own humans! It was fascinating for Miss Three that this story really happened, and that there can be happy-ever-afters even when things are looking scary.

At the end of the book is an article about predators in Aotearoa New Zealand and the threat they pose to native species. The two dogs who are the protagonists are not exempt - uncontrolled dogs roaming in the countryside can cause immense harm to the environment and to vulnerable creatures such as those who may be nesting at ground level. This article is useful for adults who may be reading the book to younger children. It includes brief definitions of relevant words, some of which may be unfamiliar.

Miss Three loves dogs and was glad that things ended happily for them. She was also interested in the other animals - goats, pigs, possums, and cats. All five are introduced species; when one escapes into the wild, it becomes feral and a danger to native birds and animals. Had the two dogs not found humans and joined up with them, they too could have become feral - but even a domesticated dog off the leash can cause huge carnage simply by "playing" with a smaller creature.

The pictures of the animals were bright and reasonably accurate; Miss Three found it easy to identify the various species. The cat was especially true to life as it was caught in mid snarl when it realised it was about to become brother to a dog! Many cats and dogs get on perfectly well together, particularly if they have lived in the same household since they were babies, but this particular cat was having none of that.

The illustrations of the humans were not so clearly depicted. Miss Three would have preferred them to be either more true to life as are the animals, or presented as cartoon characters. However, the backgrounds, especially those of the bush, were beautifully crafted with vibrant shades of green and brown to reflect the native flora. Miss Three is now looking forward to learning more about the bush and its various inhabitants.