The Market Square Dog [Paperback]

James Herriot (Author), Ruth Brown (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

The storytelling magic of James Herriot has become a warm, joyful part of our children's lives. The Market Square Dog is his tale of a friendly stray dog who comes to beg in the Darrowby village square-and goes without a home until the local policeman saves the day.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Yorkshire veterinarian and bestselling author Herriot has come up with yet another winning tale about one of the many animals that crossed his path over the years. This time it's a dog, which he spies begging in the town square one market day. The story of how the little stray finds a home with a sympathetic policeman and his family tugs at the heartstrings as only a Herriot tale can--and in all fairness, should probably carry a warning label for parents who have steadfastly resisted their child's pleas for a pet. As in their other collaborations, Brown's softly shaded watercolors recall an England of an earlier era, a place of cozy stone cottages and country gardens. All ages.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"[The] pictures of the puppy...are beguiling; it's hard not to be pleased that this soulful little fellow has encountered a good turn of fortune." --Booklist

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (August 15, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312065671
• ISBN-13: 978-0312065676
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.1 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,405,146 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A simple yet moving story about a lost and injured dog, December 2, 2006

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Market Square Dog (Hardcover)

James Herriot was one of the best writers of stories involving human interaction with animals. In this case, a dog appears at a market in a British city. It is frightened to the point where it cannot be touched, yet it is clearly gentle as it quietly begs for food. The main character, a veterinarian that is clearly Herriot and a policeman try to approach it but fail.
Then, on a day when Herriot and his wife are going out, a policeman brings the dog to his place. It is badly injured with a broken leg and other cuts and bruises. Working together, Herriot and his wife mend the wounds and the dog then goes to a kennel. However, no one ever comes to claim the dog, which saddens Herriot. Finally, the dog is arrested, which was the term a policeman used. He had adopted the dog and the last scene is where the policeman's daughters are petting the dog.
This is an excellent and heart-warming story that children will love. Herriot writes with a simplicity and directness that stimulates your emotions. You find yourself caring for the dog and hoping that it manages to find a loving caring home.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HERRIOT AT HIS BEST, November 5, 2008

By 

D. Blankenship (The Ozarks) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Market Square Dog (Paperback)

I have to admit to being a very big James Herriot fan, having read his entire collection of "adult" level book several times over throughout the years. I have been delighted that there have been quite a number of his wonderful stories of animals published in a format suitable for the younger set.

This is a story of a stray; a stray that has obviously seen and had some hard times. The tale is one of love, compassion and one that simply makes you feel good. Even though the dog is untouchable due to fear, he is eventually is injured and is brought to Herriot's shop for fixing. No spoilers here, but everything turns out as it should and the ending is quite fitting.

The art work in this book is almost worth the price of the book along. The soft colors used to depict a typical English village in the earlier part of the 1900s hit the mood of the book perfectly. Each painting fits the text of the book perfectly. The illustration and wonderful story Herriot tells compliment each other perfectly.

Animal lovers, both young and old will appreciate this work and it is certainly one that all children should have in their library. If nothing else, it is a good way to introduce them to this writer and indeed, to good writing overall. Highly recommend this one.

I do hope the publishers keep this series going as Herriot's books are an absolute gold mine of good material that can and should be transformed into books for the young.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks