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Patch
64 pages, Unknown Binding
Published January 1, 1956
3 people want to read
About the author
E.E. Ellsworth
21 booksEdith Ellen Ellsworth (circa 1887-1956) (née Bennett) was the author of one girls' school story, Doctor Noreen (1945), and many other children's stories.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
February 6, 2017
Patch is a lovely children's story from 1956, by E.E. Ellsworth, who wrote several books for the "Blackie's Easy to Read Series": books in a compact format, with bold print. The author also wrote other children's books and retellings of traditional tales.
The narrator in this story is a fox terrier whose official name is "Fairbank Dandy", but he tells us that he has always been called "Patch", because he has a large brown patch over each eye. He goes on to tell us his life story so far.
Patch was born on a farm, and we first see him with his mother, two brothers and sister. The whole litter think that the farm is, "the most wonderful place in the world". Patch is very keen to impress his mother, and always to be obedient to the farmer, Fred. When someone visits the farm to look at Patch, he learns that he is to have a new home. Patch has very mixed feelings and is a little scared about this, but his mother is pleased for him, and tells him to be faithful and true to his new master.
As we follow the story we realise that Patch has been bought as a companion dog for Peter, a little boy who has been ill for a long time, but is now convalescing. We read of the pleasure the two have, playing together, and with Peter teaching Patch tricks. Patch is a big hit with Peter's friends, at Peter's birthday party. The story follow various escapades where Patch guards his new family. Once he chases a big rat, and another time he alerts the household to a potential house fire.
As Peter becomes stronger, the whole family enjoys a holiday at the seaside. Patch loves playing at the beach, and proves to be a plucky little dog, swimming to get help when he sees that Peter is getting cut off by the tide.
But Patch's finest hour is when, back at home, he bravely defeats a burglar. He knows then that his mother would be very proud of him, and feels he is the luckiest dog in the world when Peter's father says, "You are the best dog in the world and worth your weight in gold".
The book is entertaining and easy to read whilst having a good variety of language. The dog's boisterousness, his point of view, and the sense of living in the moment, is all conveyed very well. It also has a gentle humour which all readers can appreciate, such as the incomprehension Patch feels when Peter prefers pink icing on his birthday cake to a juicy bone.
There are six chapters altogether. The edition I first read was from 1968, where the story was enhanced by expressive line drawings by Derek Lucas. This is a story which has dated very little and is an exciting feel-good read for young children. I now have this first edition too, which has many more line drawings, all of which have the feel of an earlier time, and are sadly unattributed.
The narrator in this story is a fox terrier whose official name is "Fairbank Dandy", but he tells us that he has always been called "Patch", because he has a large brown patch over each eye. He goes on to tell us his life story so far.
Patch was born on a farm, and we first see him with his mother, two brothers and sister. The whole litter think that the farm is, "the most wonderful place in the world". Patch is very keen to impress his mother, and always to be obedient to the farmer, Fred. When someone visits the farm to look at Patch, he learns that he is to have a new home. Patch has very mixed feelings and is a little scared about this, but his mother is pleased for him, and tells him to be faithful and true to his new master.
As we follow the story we realise that Patch has been bought as a companion dog for Peter, a little boy who has been ill for a long time, but is now convalescing. We read of the pleasure the two have, playing together, and with Peter teaching Patch tricks. Patch is a big hit with Peter's friends, at Peter's birthday party. The story follow various escapades where Patch guards his new family. Once he chases a big rat, and another time he alerts the household to a potential house fire.
As Peter becomes stronger, the whole family enjoys a holiday at the seaside. Patch loves playing at the beach, and proves to be a plucky little dog, swimming to get help when he sees that Peter is getting cut off by the tide.
But Patch's finest hour is when, back at home, he bravely defeats a burglar. He knows then that his mother would be very proud of him, and feels he is the luckiest dog in the world when Peter's father says, "You are the best dog in the world and worth your weight in gold".
The book is entertaining and easy to read whilst having a good variety of language. The dog's boisterousness, his point of view, and the sense of living in the moment, is all conveyed very well. It also has a gentle humour which all readers can appreciate, such as the incomprehension Patch feels when Peter prefers pink icing on his birthday cake to a juicy bone.
There are six chapters altogether. The edition I first read was from 1968, where the story was enhanced by expressive line drawings by Derek Lucas. This is a story which has dated very little and is an exciting feel-good read for young children. I now have this first edition too, which has many more line drawings, all of which have the feel of an earlier time, and are sadly unattributed.
Displaying 1 of 1 review