Brave & strong & true by Zoe Weston. Illus. by Ali Beck

This very gentle story with delightful illustrations is a wonderful introduction to the work of the RSPCA. Ellie lives in a house with lots of other dogs and shares her story with the reader of the only life she knows. The dogs are not cared for as well as they could be and are all eventually removed by workers from the RSPCA. Ellie is separated from her puppies and placed in a cage where she struggles to adjust to the changes. She is well fed and looked after but refuses to look at the people coming in search of a new companion for their home. Ellie is eventually reunited with her puppies in the home of one of her carers and begins to feel safe. Two very kind and patient women decide to take Ellie home with them and after a shaky start Ellie learns to trust and become part of a caring family.

Themes: Dogs, RSPCA, Animal Care, Safety, Kindness.

Kathryn Beilby