Description: A WWII veteran finds joy in his community as the new mailman, who, along with a few dogs, brings hope back to a grieving community.
George lives a peaceful life on his family farm in Indiana until he is recruited for the US army for WWII. While George longed to go back home throughout the war, home is a very different place when he returns. His family farm has been sold and George must find a new job. Though he swore he would never wear a uniform again, George becomes a letter carrier. Then, something unexpected and miraculous happens--friendly neighborhood dogs begin following him on his daily route. As the parade of dogs quickly grows each day, so too does the joy spread in a community still healing from loss. John Spray's stepfather is the inspiration behind the character George, who was a celebrated WWII veteran and post-war letter carrier--loved by both the people and dogs in his small town, Lafayette, Indiana. Scot Ritchie illustrates with powerful depth and humor. .Brief description: Scot Ritchie is an award-winning illustrator and author with more than 75 books to his credit, including most recently Broom for Two. His books have been translated into French, Korean, Indonesian, Polish, Finnish, Arabic, and Dutch. Scot has worked with the National Film Board of Canada and has had his illustrations exhibited at the National Gallery of Canada. He lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Review Quotes:
Praise for Lucky Dog Comes Home
CBC November Hot Off The Press Feature
"The art is delightful, and George is a cheery protagonist"--Kirkus Reviews
"Spray's voice has a conversational quality that makes the story feel like firsthand family lore, while Ritchie's loosely sketched cartoons capture home as a place of comfort."--Publisher's Weekly
"this gentle story could help children in developing empathy and recognizing kindness."--Booklist