I liked it because: 1. It was a happy story. 2. The story makes you feel happy. 3. There is a dog who is happy and it made Ella feel good. 4. I liked the mystery. 5. My favourite characters is the spotty dog and Ella. 6. I think everyone should read this story.
It was a complete coincidence that this book was ready for me to pick up from the library the same day as The New Friend—two early readers/chapter books about Australian kids finding lost puppies at the park!
There are differences; the other book features a boy, and this one a girl, and the stories have opposite outcomes.
As with The New Friend, this one has heaps of kid appeal. Cute animal in need of help. Main child character taking charge. It’s got everything you could want from a book for this age range.
From page one, Ella’s personality shines through. There’s quite a lot of story to tell, but the author still manages original characterisation.
I liked the ending. There’s a lesson to be learnt here, but young readers won’t feel preached at.