posted on 19 May 2025

Letters to a Dog by Piers Torday, illustrated by Alice McKinley

Although I don’t own a pet myself, I know how much they can mean to many people in terms of comfort, especially during difficult times. This slim chapter book builds on how a much-longed-for dog can act as a distraction for Jamie, a child who is awaiting a life-changing operation. It turns out to be much more than this because he begins to write fervent letters to the dog, first spotted in a local Dog’s Home, who then appears to respond!

When I read this with a wise eight year old, he pointed out that it wasn’t really the dog that was writing the letters, but that the boy needed to believe it - ‘ a bit like Santa’. This is because Jamie has difficulty communicating with his dad who, since his mom’s recent death, has been very hard to talk to. The two of them are obviously grieving in different ways and seem to have reached an impasse which is very painful. They don’t even speak when he comes to visit. Jamie pours out his feelings to the ‘dog’ who responds in kind and so makes him feel that he is at last being listened to.

We decided that the friendly nurse Shirley, who promises to post the letters to the Dog’s Home, is probably the secret correspondent. Then we started to worry about how she would reveal the deception and whether he would feel horribly let down? Perhaps she would work hard to convince him until after the operation, but then would gently tell him the truth? On the other hand - he desperately wanted to have his own dog to look after on his return home, so how could he ever find happiness without one?

I strongly recommend this sensitive and often funny story that is skilfully told by this well-established author and the plentiful and lively illustrations add a light hearted tone to the text. There is plenty to talk about including opportunities to reflect on parent/ child relationships and how to cope with anxiety. There is also scope for sharing personal stories about pets and having a go at creative writing in terms of writing a series of letters to and from a range of imagined correspondents. For example, what would the voice of a lion in the zoo sound like, and how might it differ from that of a penguin?

The much admired Barrington Stoke Publishers have produced another hit that is easily accessible to established young readers, as well as those who sometimes struggle with reading. It is now available from your local independent bookshop who will happily order a copy if not already on the shelves.

 

Karen Argent

May 2025