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The Last Free Dog
THE LIFE OF STRAY DOGS, REIMAGINED
In the heart of Kosovo, a litter of puppies is born, and among them, one is a spitting image of the legendary Illyrian Lyri. The pride and joy of an Illyrian is protecting a flock of sheep from wolves, bears, and even lynxes. However, young Lyri does not climb majestic mountains but instead mounds of waste. Lyri faces numerous trials in a rapidly changing world as he matures from a puppy into a young dog. His heritage and pack’s traditions give him the tenacity and vigor needed to cope with the challenges of being a free dog.THE LAST FREE DOG is an all-ages graphic novel that reimagines the lives of stray dogs in the Balkans and similar places worldwide. Readers delve into the experiences of these free dogs and discover efforts to combat pollution, preserve the environment, and aid the stray animal population. Through this tale, children, leaders, and individuals of all backgrounds can engage with vital issues such as pollution and the animal rights challenges in this region.
Learn more at www.LastFreeDog.com
In the heart of Kosovo, a litter of puppies is born, and among them, one is a spitting image of the legendary Illyrian Lyri. The pride and joy of an Illyrian is protecting a flock of sheep from wolves, bears, and even lynxes. However, young Lyri does not climb majestic mountains but instead mounds of waste. Lyri faces numerous trials in a rapidly changing world as he matures from a puppy into a young dog. His heritage and pack’s traditions give him the tenacity and vigor needed to cope with the challenges of being a free dog.THE LAST FREE DOG is an all-ages graphic novel that reimagines the lives of stray dogs in the Balkans and similar places worldwide. Readers delve into the experiences of these free dogs and discover efforts to combat pollution, preserve the environment, and aid the stray animal population. Through this tale, children, leaders, and individuals of all backgrounds can engage with vital issues such as pollution and the animal rights challenges in this region.
Learn more at www.LastFreeDog.com
84 pages, Hardcover
Published December 13, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 10, 2024
Actual rating 4.5 stars rounded down to 4
The Last Free Dog, a graphic novel by Sarah Bergquist Kosumi and illustrated by Shpend Kada, is a poignant and ultimately uplifting story that has the potential to transform how readers, especially younger readers, view stray dogs. By calling them FREE dogs, the homeless dogs gain a degree of dignity, even though they are still dependent on scrounging for scraps, dig through garbage, and avoid all manners of danger from humans and other animals. Younger readers will feel compassion for the main character Lyri, an Illyrian sheepdog puppy from Kosovo, as he learns to survive in a country that is no longer as majestic as in centuries past. There are positive messages and story elements that show how a determined group of people can effect real change and improvement in the world. By telling the story from Lyri's point of view, younger readers will see the world from a perspective not often considered: the effect of climate change, pollution, and animal cruelty on non-human inhabitants of the earth, and this can promote both discussion and action among children, the ones, after all, who will inherit both the troubles and possible solutions facing our world.
The story flows effectively and is easy to follow, and the illustrations by Kada are both realistic and beautiful. The only thing I would have liked is a bit more historical context to show where exactly the story takes place and how the activism to save the dogs developed in Kosovo. I suspect, however, that these items will likely be included in the finished, published version if the graphic novel, as what I read was an advanced review copy with only the story and no front matter or author's notes. I also found several typos that I'm sure will be corrected in the final copy after a careful editing and proofreading.
I believe the story is a good way to get younger readers interested and involved in at least understanding these issues beyond their own personal communities. Discussions about the history of Kosovo, both centuries past and more recently, global political and climate issues, and animal rights issues both globally and locally can all emerge from this story.
It is a well done story that deals with serious issues but not in a preachy fashion. Thank you to Sarah Bergquist Kosumi, Shpend Kada, and Booksirens for the opportunity to read this free advanced review copy, and I leave this review voluntarily.
The Last Free Dog, a graphic novel by Sarah Bergquist Kosumi and illustrated by Shpend Kada, is a poignant and ultimately uplifting story that has the potential to transform how readers, especially younger readers, view stray dogs. By calling them FREE dogs, the homeless dogs gain a degree of dignity, even though they are still dependent on scrounging for scraps, dig through garbage, and avoid all manners of danger from humans and other animals. Younger readers will feel compassion for the main character Lyri, an Illyrian sheepdog puppy from Kosovo, as he learns to survive in a country that is no longer as majestic as in centuries past. There are positive messages and story elements that show how a determined group of people can effect real change and improvement in the world. By telling the story from Lyri's point of view, younger readers will see the world from a perspective not often considered: the effect of climate change, pollution, and animal cruelty on non-human inhabitants of the earth, and this can promote both discussion and action among children, the ones, after all, who will inherit both the troubles and possible solutions facing our world.
The story flows effectively and is easy to follow, and the illustrations by Kada are both realistic and beautiful. The only thing I would have liked is a bit more historical context to show where exactly the story takes place and how the activism to save the dogs developed in Kosovo. I suspect, however, that these items will likely be included in the finished, published version if the graphic novel, as what I read was an advanced review copy with only the story and no front matter or author's notes. I also found several typos that I'm sure will be corrected in the final copy after a careful editing and proofreading.
I believe the story is a good way to get younger readers interested and involved in at least understanding these issues beyond their own personal communities. Discussions about the history of Kosovo, both centuries past and more recently, global political and climate issues, and animal rights issues both globally and locally can all emerge from this story.
It is a well done story that deals with serious issues but not in a preachy fashion. Thank you to Sarah Bergquist Kosumi, Shpend Kada, and Booksirens for the opportunity to read this free advanced review copy, and I leave this review voluntarily.
March 12, 2024
On the surface, The Last Free Dog is the story of a stray dog named Lyri, but in reality it tells a much bigger tale.
The book is set in Kosovo. As such, it provides some insight into some of the changes that have occurred in this country in recent decades. First and foremost is the treatment of strays, or ‘free dogs’ as Lyri sees it. But under this, we also get an idea of how attitudes have changed to the dumping of rubbish and environmental cleanup (at least, that’s my impression).
To be honest, the text needs quite a bit of copy editing, particularly when it comes to tenses and punctuation. However, it shouldn’t take much work to polish the English to perfection.
Indeed, the artwork is lovely and the story is heartwarming. I’m sure The Last Free Dog will go far!
And burek... like many people not native to the Balkans, I suspect, I didn’t know what this was. But after looking it up, like Lyri, I really want to try some!
The book is set in Kosovo. As such, it provides some insight into some of the changes that have occurred in this country in recent decades. First and foremost is the treatment of strays, or ‘free dogs’ as Lyri sees it. But under this, we also get an idea of how attitudes have changed to the dumping of rubbish and environmental cleanup (at least, that’s my impression).
To be honest, the text needs quite a bit of copy editing, particularly when it comes to tenses and punctuation. However, it shouldn’t take much work to polish the English to perfection.
Indeed, the artwork is lovely and the story is heartwarming. I’m sure The Last Free Dog will go far!
And burek... like many people not native to the Balkans, I suspect, I didn’t know what this was. But after looking it up, like Lyri, I really want to try some!
February 22, 2024
The Last Free Dog is a thoughtful, well illustrated graphic novel exploring the notions of change, freedoms and climate. The books helps us to explore these notions through the eyes of a pup, one of the litters born ‘free’ in Kosovo.
There are some powerful themes on the book and I would recommend looking this over before sharing with a child. Loss, hunger, bereavement and rejection feature strongly. This is a creative vehicle for interesting discussion with a child and would make a good class reader for exploring responsibility to the world around us.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
There are some powerful themes on the book and I would recommend looking this over before sharing with a child. Loss, hunger, bereavement and rejection feature strongly. This is a creative vehicle for interesting discussion with a child and would make a good class reader for exploring responsibility to the world around us.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 13, 2024
Me ha gustado mucho, las ilustraciones muy bonitas y el mensaje maravilloso aunque triste. Hubo momentos en los que se me escapó la lágrima, cosa que siempre me suele suceder cuando hay perros por medio.
Totalmente recomendable. Mi puntuación serían 4,5 estrellas
Totalmente recomendable. Mi puntuación serían 4,5 estrellas
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews