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Alaska's Dog Heroes

True Stories of Remarkable Canines

Illustrated by Robin James
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Board Book
$10.99 US
6.95"W x 5.49"H x 0.51"D   | 8 oz | 32 per carton
On sale Jan 23, 2024 | 22 Pages | 9781632173805
Age 0-3 years | Up to Preschool
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In Alaska, dogs really are a person’s best friend. These true canine stories from the last frontier describe remarkable acts of intelligence, stamina, loyalty, and heroism by Balto, Togo, Tekla, Stickeen, and more of Alaska’s famous dogs.

Follow these dogs as they traverse the mountains in winter with deliveries of life-saving medicine to remote villages, fight off attacking bears, and find lost children. Alaskan canines perform amazing deeds that exhibit intelligence, stamina, loyalty, and heroism—plus they offer friendly and furry companionship to their owners.
  • SUBMITTED | 2016
    Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award
"James’s handsome artwork captures the individuality of each dog as Gill describes the animals and their contributions to Alaskan history in crisp, clean prose."
—Publishers Weekly 

"Nineteen famous dogs from Alaska are introduced through short profiles in this illustrated look at some courageous canines....Attractive, full-page illustrations of the dogs are the book’s best feature, with several of the canines running or leaping through the air in rescue mode."
—Kirkus Reviews

"Gill, a past Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race participant and the author of best-selling children's books about Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, introduces young children to heroic tales of 19 courageous Alaska canines. Accompanied by James' captivating illustrations, the stories of how dogs in Alaska have accomplished feats such as warding off bears and finding lost children will thrill young readers."
—Alaska Airlines Magazine

"Dogs are an integral part of life in much of Alaska, and there are many stories about exceptional canines who merit a place in the state's history. This book introduces readers to 19 of these dogs, ...A beautiful color illustration faces a page of information, briefly introducing the dogs and the accomplishments for which they are known. The writing is crisp and interesting. This is sure to be a hit with dog lovers."
—Puget Sound Council for the Review of Children's Media

"Alaska's Dog Heroes: True Stories of Remarkable Canines by Shelley Gill is a children's book that dog lovers will absolutely adore. There are nineteen dogs depicted in this book complete with a short write-up and beautiful illustration for each dog. ...All of the stories that Gill shares are heroic in their own right and truly illustrate the loyalty and bravery of man's best friend."
—Confessions of a Book Addict

"Since dogs are such an important part of life in Alaska, a book about some famous dogs from that state is sure to be an interesting one. The stories of nineteen dogs that did amazing, extraordinary, or simply interesting things are included... Author Shelly Gill was one of the first women to complete the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, so she has the credentials to write this book. The icing on the cake, though, is the beautiful, life-like illustrations by Robin James."
—San Francisco Book Review

"[My son] loves this book so much he has even asked to sleep with it in his bed on a few occasions... The tales are the perfect length for when you need just a short story to keep your kids attention occupied for a few minutes."
—Alaska Love 12

"Dogs really are a person’s best friend in Alaska. ...From traversing mountains in winter with deliveries of life-saving medicine to fighting off bears and finding lost children, each beautifully illustrated and exciting story comes from the pages of Alaska’s history. Dog lovers, Alaska tourists, fans of the Iditarod Dogsled Race, school teachers, and librarians will enjoy these true stories of Alaska’s canine heroes."
—Creative Child 
SHELLEY GILL was the fifth woman to complete the Iditarod Dogsled Race. Gill is also one of the most prolific and admired children's book authors in Alaska. Her many book titles include Alaska's Three Bears, Kiana's Iditarod, and Up on Denali. When she’s not writing, Shelley travels to schools around the country. She lives in Homer, AK.

ROBIN JAMES has illustrated more than 80 children's books, including all of the titles in the Serendipity series. An ardent animal lover, she lives in Snohomish, WA.

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About

In Alaska, dogs really are a person’s best friend. These true canine stories from the last frontier describe remarkable acts of intelligence, stamina, loyalty, and heroism by Balto, Togo, Tekla, Stickeen, and more of Alaska’s famous dogs.

Follow these dogs as they traverse the mountains in winter with deliveries of life-saving medicine to remote villages, fight off attacking bears, and find lost children. Alaskan canines perform amazing deeds that exhibit intelligence, stamina, loyalty, and heroism—plus they offer friendly and furry companionship to their owners.

Awards

  • SUBMITTED | 2016
    Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award

Praise

"James’s handsome artwork captures the individuality of each dog as Gill describes the animals and their contributions to Alaskan history in crisp, clean prose."
—Publishers Weekly 

"Nineteen famous dogs from Alaska are introduced through short profiles in this illustrated look at some courageous canines....Attractive, full-page illustrations of the dogs are the book’s best feature, with several of the canines running or leaping through the air in rescue mode."
—Kirkus Reviews

"Gill, a past Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race participant and the author of best-selling children's books about Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, introduces young children to heroic tales of 19 courageous Alaska canines. Accompanied by James' captivating illustrations, the stories of how dogs in Alaska have accomplished feats such as warding off bears and finding lost children will thrill young readers."
—Alaska Airlines Magazine

"Dogs are an integral part of life in much of Alaska, and there are many stories about exceptional canines who merit a place in the state's history. This book introduces readers to 19 of these dogs, ...A beautiful color illustration faces a page of information, briefly introducing the dogs and the accomplishments for which they are known. The writing is crisp and interesting. This is sure to be a hit with dog lovers."
—Puget Sound Council for the Review of Children's Media

"Alaska's Dog Heroes: True Stories of Remarkable Canines by Shelley Gill is a children's book that dog lovers will absolutely adore. There are nineteen dogs depicted in this book complete with a short write-up and beautiful illustration for each dog. ...All of the stories that Gill shares are heroic in their own right and truly illustrate the loyalty and bravery of man's best friend."
—Confessions of a Book Addict

"Since dogs are such an important part of life in Alaska, a book about some famous dogs from that state is sure to be an interesting one. The stories of nineteen dogs that did amazing, extraordinary, or simply interesting things are included... Author Shelly Gill was one of the first women to complete the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, so she has the credentials to write this book. The icing on the cake, though, is the beautiful, life-like illustrations by Robin James."
—San Francisco Book Review

"[My son] loves this book so much he has even asked to sleep with it in his bed on a few occasions... The tales are the perfect length for when you need just a short story to keep your kids attention occupied for a few minutes."
—Alaska Love 12

"Dogs really are a person’s best friend in Alaska. ...From traversing mountains in winter with deliveries of life-saving medicine to fighting off bears and finding lost children, each beautifully illustrated and exciting story comes from the pages of Alaska’s history. Dog lovers, Alaska tourists, fans of the Iditarod Dogsled Race, school teachers, and librarians will enjoy these true stories of Alaska’s canine heroes."
—Creative Child 

Author

SHELLEY GILL was the fifth woman to complete the Iditarod Dogsled Race. Gill is also one of the most prolific and admired children's book authors in Alaska. Her many book titles include Alaska's Three Bears, Kiana's Iditarod, and Up on Denali. When she’s not writing, Shelley travels to schools around the country. She lives in Homer, AK.

ROBIN JAMES has illustrated more than 80 children's books, including all of the titles in the Serendipity series. An ardent animal lover, she lives in Snohomish, WA.

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