Station Jim

by Louis de Bernières, Emma Chichester Clark (Illustrations)

A heartwarming tale about a very special dog. Beautifully illustrated, it is the perfect Christmas gift.One day, in the days when all the trains were driven by steam, a railway guard found something abandoned on a train...Mr Ginger Leghorn is used to collecting up umbrellas and other lost property but he's never found a puppy on his train before. He has no intention of keeping it but his five children - Alfie, Arthur, Beryl, Sissy and Albert - have other ideas and Jim is soon a much-loved, but often disruptive, member of the family.Whether it's his feud with the cat, getting stuck in rabbit-holes, accidentally going to sea, accompanying the children to school or carol singing at Christmas, Jim has a knack of making himself the centre of attention. This little black and tan puppy with his small bright eyes and very waggy rump becomes something of a hero in his town, and even catches the eye of the King himself.Station Jim is full of Christmas cheer for children and adults alike, and especially dog-lovers. It includes delightful pictures by celebrated illustrator Emma Chichester Clark, the creator of Plumdog .

Genres: Middle Grade, Audiobook

Kindle Edition

Published November 7, 2019

About the author

Louis de Bernières is an English novelist. He is known for his 1994 historical war novel Captain Corelli's Mandolin. In 1993 de Bernières was selected as one of the "20 Best of Young British Novelists", part of a promotion in Granta magazine. Captain Corelli's Mandolin was published in the following year, winning the Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best Book. It was also shortlisted for the 1994 Sunday Express Book of the Year. It has been translated into over 11 languages and is an international best-seller.

On 16 July 2008, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in the Arts by the De Montfort University in Leicester, which he had attended when it was Leicester Polytechnic.
Politically, he identifies himself as Eurosceptic and has voiced his support for the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union.

Reviews

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

A set of short stories about 'Station Jim' - a dog taken in by the Station Master and his family in Slough in Edwardian times. The stories are about Jim's many adventures.

Although this book is fiction, the dog Jim really existed. He collected money from passengers for charity using a box tied round his neck. When he died he was stuffed and his body is still in a glass case at Slough Railway Station!

The book is quite sweet and the illustrations are quite magnificent!

[Twips · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for a short audiobook and this cover caught my attention.

I don't have a lot to say about the story because it is quite short but it was cute and I enjoyed it. The narration was really well done. I didn't realise it was based on a real dog until reading the reviews afterwards, but that just makes it all even cuter.

My only disappointment is that I missed out on the illustrations in the physical version.

Review Date: May 25, 2020

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and easy to read, quiet stories about life in working class Edwardian England. This book felt disjointed, like short stories that were made into a novel with the character of Jim, the dog, trying to hold it together. Even the name of Jim changed in some chapters.

Pop sugar reading challenge 2020- a book with same title as movie.

[Anna Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, heartwarming story of Station Jim’s adventures with the Leghorn family. Beautifully illustrated, this is a stunning book for children.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming, delightful, re-read!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

sweet, charming, delightful

[Katy Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nostalgic little tale that will interest animal lovers.

Awww, I didn't realise until this finished and I looked it up that this is based on a true story. Children will love this idea, of the foundling dog who collects money for widows and orphans on the trains and endears himself to one and all, with a few scrapes/adventures along the way.

The period is well created, with a lot of poverty evident, community, family values and love for children and animals.

Jim is loveable, his new family less memorable as individuals but who will forget the name of the patriarch (Ginger Leghorn)?

Short audio read, a nice period piece and wintery tale for fans of animal stories.

For ages 5-10.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite books by Louis de Bernières. I love that the main character that all the other characters evolve around is a dog who brings out the best in everyone he meets- even the family cat! Jim is funny and mischievous which made for lots of interesting story points. I think "Station Jim" is a legacy book that everyone should read because it teaches us about love and care.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw this in the library and I loved the front cover.
The story begins with the station master finding an abandoned puppy and taking it home.
The family decide to keep the puppy.
A beautiful story of family.
The pictures are lovely.
Well worth a read

[ELIZABETH MORGAN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened on Borrowbox. Charming story. Didn't realise until after listening that Station Jim existed. After he died in 1896 he was immortalised by a taxidermist and can be found in a case still collecting donations at Slough station.

[beverley ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

- book four for believe-a-thon-
*via audio

3.5 stars

[Adel Fountain · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son and I listened to this via Audiobook using the library app
He said he has given the book a 5 star rating because it was so amazing to be able to listen to the story which was great

[Rachel F · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this one via BorrowBox,

I found it an endearing and sweet story

Read for reading challenges.

4/5

[Dymocks Indooroopilly]

A delightful book about a dog found on a train and his adventures - a lovely English story! Ages 8-9, also great for reading to littler ones.

[Tina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dull.

[Kirsty · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

[LouD · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the characters of this book, and the phrasing, and the peppering of life-lessons throughout. A delight.

[Sally Magalotti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this tale for all ages, took me back to books I read as a child. It has a warm and comforting feel about it, like worn slippers or tea from a pot. And it brings to life, slightly embellished, the true and admirable story of a little dog that became a celebrity. Great family read.

[Lilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sweet book based on a real dog