The protagonist of this wordless picturebook is scared to start a new school, no matter how much his mother reassures him. The walk to school is frightening: the dog that barks as he walks by, the man who scowls at him from the park bench. The boy befriends the dog though later discovers that its owner has become ill, and now the dog needs the boys help. The story ends with a tone of happiness, hope and solidarity between young and old, as the elderly owner waves to the boy and the dog from the window of his room in a nursing home. This impactful picturebook is resonant with strong emotions: loneliness, isolation, fear, anxiety, relief, and joy. It has clear application to discuss citizenship: how we engage with our local community for the greater good.
