A Very Unusual Dog
Written by:Dorothy Joan Harris
Illustrated by: Kim LaFave
Recommended for ages: 3-6
North Winds Press $19.99

Imagination is a wonderful thing. In this new story, Jonathan has an imaginary friend who happens to be a dog that he calls appropriately enough, Dog. Jonathan treats Dog just like he would a real dog. He takes him for walks, feeds him and even lets him sleep in his room on his favourite sweater. Jonathan’s seven-year-old sister, Elizabeth, who knows everything, teases her brother for his actions. When they go to visit Grandma at her apartment, the children tell her about Dog. She then pulls a photo from her drawer and Jonathan admits that Dog does in fact resemble the spaniel in the picture.

When Jonathan returns home, he does not leave toast crumbs on the windowsill as he had been doing previously. Instead he claims he left Dog with Grandma, as she seemed lonesome for a pet. Elizabeth questions this and quickly calls Grandma only to find out that Dog is there with her and even slept by her bed all night.

This simple story will be familiar to all of those youngsters who have imaginary friends and even to those who don’t yet but will someday. This picture book is a Finalist for the Governor General’s Literary Award.