The Summer Puppy
Jackie Morris and Cathy Fisher
Otter-Barry Books

This truly beautiful book was inspired by memories of a real and much-loved dog that belonged to Jackie’s daughter and tells the story of Rosie and her first summer spent at their Pembrokeshire home. Cathy Fisher, the illustrator lives in Pembrokeshire too and it’s evident how much they both put into creating the tale. Jackie’s lyrical descriptions of the countryside: ‘The scent of sweet clover filled her nose / as the flowers towered over her. // So much to see, so much to find / in this emerald world.’

and in complete harmony with the words are the magnificent illustrations of the dog exploring its environment with its child owner. Through the changing seasons from early summer to autumn and the onset of winter, they investigate the woods, fields and beach.

Every turn of the page brings fresh delights for readers and listeners, including this reviewer who is cynophobic (but also a lover of the natural world) and likely to encourage lots of people to embrace the great outdoors and explore the joys of nature.