Herbert the Brave Sea Dog by Robyn Belton

Walker Books, 2011. ISBN 978921529313.
Herbert was loved by everyone, but most of all by Tim. One day, Tim's father and two friends began an everyday trip in their boat through the French Pass in New Zealand's Marlborough Sounds. Because those waters are treacherous, Tim was left to make the trip by car with his mother, but Herbert the dog jumped on the boat ready for adventure. And what an adventure it was . . . At first the sea was calm and sparkling but as is common in that area, things soon changed for the worse, and in the middle of the storm, Herbert was lost overboard, slipping in unnoticed.
This is the true story of a little boy's faith, a courageous dog and a happy ending. The end-papers pay tribute to what Herbert endured during his 30 hours at sea, and a story that will be in Nelson's folklore forever. The book won the Russell Clark Award which recognises excellence in children's book illustration and received very positive reviews from publications such as the New York Times and the Toronto Star. All are very well-deserved. I found it compelling reading.
Barbara Braxton