Author:Megan Rix
The Hero Pup is a heartwarming and uplifting story from Megan Rix, bestselling author of The Great Escape, The Victory Dogs, The Bomber Dog and A Soldier's Friend.
'For now Patch is just a Helper Pup,' Joe said. 'But one day . . .'
Eleven-year-old Joe is dreading his first Christmas without Dad.
But then Mum suggests they volunteer for Helper Dogs and train puppies to help people in need.
Joe has always wanted a dog and when he meets golden Labrador Patch he knows he's found him. With Joe's love and training, can Patch go from playful pupy to heroic helper - and mend Joe's broken heart along the way?
A classic-in-the-making, Megan Rix takes little-known true stories of animal heroes and turns them into must-have heartwarming stories for 8+ readers, perfect for fans of Michael Morpurgo and Sarah Lean.
'If you love Michael Morpurgo, you will enjoy this' Sunday Express
'A moving tale told with warmth, kindliness and lashings of good sense that lovers of Dick King-Smith will especially appreciate' The Times
'Every now and then a writer comes along with a unique way of storytelling . . . Meet Megan Rix . . . her novels are deeply moving and will strike a chord with animal lovers.' LoveReading
'A perfect story for animal lovers and lovers of adventure stories' Travelling Book Company
About the author:
Megan Rix is the recent winner of the Stockton and Shrewsbury Children's Book Awards, and has been shortlisted for numerous other children's book awards. She lives with her husband by a river in England. When she's not writing she can be found walking her two golden retrievers, Traffy and Bella, who are often in the river.
Also available by Megan Rix:
The Great Escape, The Victory Dogs, The Bomber Dog and A Soldier's Friend
If you love Michael Morpurgo, you will enjoy this
—— ExpressA moving tale told with warmth, kindliness and lashings of good sense that lovers of Dick King-Smith will especially appreciate
—— The TimesEvery now and then a writer comes along with a unique way of storytelling . . . Meet Megan Rix. Her novels are deeply moving and will strike a chord with animal lovers
—— LoveReadingAs with all Nick Sharratt's books, the language and rhyming patterns are superb and really engage young readers
—— Hot Cross MumA heart-wrenching and sometimes terrifying tale . . . Compulsive reading
—— Children's Books IrelandExciting, funny and sadly topical . . . My children’s book of the year for 8-11s
—— Amanda Craig , New StatesmanRachel Campbell-Johnston's work is as vivid as it is moving
—— The Sunday ReviewPulls no punches, but there's a moving, almost spiritual ending
—— the IndependentThe story is remarkably free from sentimentality and anthropomorphism, and the author does not talk down to the children who will form her audience. Like Rudyard Kipling (to whose folk tale The Elephant’s Child this is surely a tribute), Campbell-Johnston shows a deep knowledge of African culture, with lush metaphors and precise descriptions of locations, smells and weather.
—— Rebecca Foster , We Love This BookThis beautifully written story is a new departure which draws on her (Rachel Campbell-Johnston's) original training as a zoologist. The Child's Elephant sings with a formidable talent, imagination and passion.
This powerful story is as huge as the African savannah it describes.
—— CarouselThe Child’s Elephant is a captivating and deeply affecting book, exceptional both for the in-the-field research that has gone into writing it, and for the writing itself which is mesmerising.
—— Caroline Sanderson , Books for KeepsRachel Campbell-Johnson lyrically conveys much about life in contemporary Africa: its beauty, its communities and many of the issues surrounding its poverty...This is an unforgettable, beautiful and moving novel about the powerful bond between an elephant and a child.
—— Book TrustA compelling story which has its roots in reality, it is a real page-turner
—— Parents in TouchThe extraordinary story of the incredible friendship between a boy and an elephant, and their survival against all the odds.
—— GransnetShows a deep knowledge of African culture, with lush metaphors and precise descriptions of locations, smells and weather.
—— Rebecca Foster , We Love This BookBeautifully conveys life in a traditional African village . . . the sights, smells, tastes and colours . . . Reading this left me wanting to find out more about both the place and the background to this story.
—— The Book BagThis is an extraordinary book
—— The Book BagThis is an amazing story . . . Definitely for Michael Morpurgo fans and also Gill Lewis and Lauren St John fans. I think almost anyone should read it.
—— We Sat DownThis is a novel that will stay with me forever. I recommend The Child’s Elephant 100%!
—— Little M , We Sat DownMy children's book of the year for 8-11s
—— Amanda Craig , New StatesmanA must-read for both the old and young, it's a triumph in children's literature that you will never forget
—— Cirencester LifePulls no punches . . . There’s a moving, almost spiritual ending
—— Independent on SundayA compelling story which has its roots in reality, it is a real page-turner as the reader is anxious to find out what happens to the pair.
—— Parents in Touch