Wednesday 2 September 2020

My Dog is a Winner

 

My Dog is a Winner by Elizabeth Fensham (UQP) PB RRP $14.99 ISBN 978070226295

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Following on the previous book in the My Dog Series, My Dog Doesn’t Like Me, is this third book about Eric Bright and his doggy best mate, Ugly. It’s lucky that Ugly is the friendliest dog ever as this time he and his master are up against their biggest challenge yet -- solving the serious problem involving Eric’s miserable older sister, Gretchen. Ugly is a school class support dog (he’s even been awarded a medal!) so he is well equipped to help Gretchen who is distressed because she has no friends. Eric (also known as ‘Ec’) works with Ugly to help remedy this by firstly working out how people make friends, and then by appealing to the local mayor to make a dog-friendly park available locally. Happily, this is how Gretchen gets to meet a wide range of people, including a young banjo player with whom she has lots in common.

The second section of My Dog is a Winner concerns itself with the school Pet Show. Determined to win a pile of first place blue ribbons for various sections, Eric conscientiously spends weeks training Ugly. However, when the Pet Show comes up, the ribbons are not as forthcoming as Eric had hoped. However, there is a surprise ending which also involves Eric’s grandfather as well as Ugly.

The writing in this book is fast-paced, bright, breezy, and often humorous with characters who are appealing and memorable. Readers aged 8 years and older are sure to enjoy My Dog is a Winner.

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