War Dogs

War Dogs

Written and illustrated by Kathryn Selbert  

Ages: 7 - 10

Charlesbridge, 2013

Rufus’s best friend is a busy man, but Rufus still manages to get him out for daily walks. Most days – because his man, Winston Churchill, is the prime minister of England and there’s a war going on. When they’re not walking, Rufus sits under Churchill’s desk and listens to the prime minister’s pen scratch furiously. And sometimes, Winston tells him about the day’s events.

I love how Kathryn Selbert presents history: through the eyes of a VIP (very important pet). She has made Rufus our “guide dog” who gains us entry into Churchill’s bunker and leads us safely around the rubble of London after bombing raids.

I love the  notecards tacked along the way: bits of Churchill’s famous speeches. I love the map room and the tables covered with plans and crumpled papers and telephones and teacups.

And I love the surprise of finding that Churchill’s best friend was a poodle.

If that’s not enough, at the end of the book Selbert has resources galore for history buffs of all ages: a timeline of World War II; more biographical notes, books and websites, and a list of sources for all the quotes pinned to desk drawers and walls throughout the book.

Check out more nifty nonfiction at Booktalking.

Review copy provided by the publisher.