The opening page of this book has framed illustrations with no text. We see a contented but also possibly lonely grandfather walking, looking out of a window, eating breakfast and watching the television at night - all alone. If you look very closely you can see his wedding photo from long ago, on the mantel. Mum thinks Gramps needs a cat but they make him itchy. Dad thinks Gramps needs to go out more perhaps he could try dancing but Gramps knows this won't work. The children know Gramps needs only one thing - a dog.
"On the weekend Gramps visits his caravan. He walks along the cliffs. He collects shells on the beach and has a picnic on his bed. He is sure he would never feel alone if he had a dog of his own."
But Gramps is getting old, and he worries Rex might trip him or wear him out. Sadly, he decides Rex is not for him. BUT on Sunday he visits mum and dad and the three grandchildren, and they have a wonderful surprise in a small box.
"You can help us look after him Gramps. You can play with him and take him for walks. You will help us groom him and flea him and clip his claws. And we will look after him until he is an old dog with a grey muzzle and stiff legs. When we go on holidays, Rex can stay at your house."
When you find this book be prepared to linger over the wonderful final end paper - it's filled with sketches of dogs.
How did I miss this book? I guess I was away from my library in 2012 when it was published but surely it featured in the CBCA (Children's Book Council of Australia) notables in 2013? No it didn't - why not? I adore books by the late Jan Ormerod - I have put some at the end of this post. I did look on Trove and this book is available in 26 libraries in New South Wales (Public libraries) and I am certain it will still be in the collection of many primary school libraries too. This book would be a joy to share in a class of children in Kindergarten or Grade One. It has not been borrowed from the library I visit since 2014 but I have to wonder why. The cover is appealing, and the story is terrific - no one dies, they do find Rex and everyone lives happily ever after.
The illustrations in this book are joyous, energetic and filled with emotion (oh and there are lots of different dogs too). You can see work by UK illustrator Carol Thompson on her Instagram page.
Carol Thompson's career as a children’s picture book illustrator and writer has seen her publish forty five books in fifteen languages. Her work has been awarded The Frank Warner Gold Award, Royal Society of Arts Bursary, Mother Goose Award for Children's Book Illustrations and the Oppenheim Gold Award. Carol remembers that as a child she always loved drawing and painting and read anything she could get her hands on, from Enid Blyton books to ‘the back of cereal boxes.’ Her artwork is inspired by Maurice Sendak, Edward Ardizzone, E. H. Shepard, the Japanese animator Hayo (‘Spirited Away’), Patrick Heron and Jan Ormerod.
This story reminded me of Let's Get a Pup by Bob Graham and also a tiny long out of print beginner chapter book -
Here are some other books by Jan Omerod.
Carol Thompson writes and illustrates beautiful board books - I have a few on my own wish list just waiting for the right baby to be born.
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