This is the story of the dog Herbert who got lost at sea. This story teaches of perseverance and faith. Herbert made it through two days in a stormy sea and his owner believed that Herbert would come back. Grade 1 and up.

“Herbert: The True Story of a Brave Sea Dog” by Robyn Belton is an incredible story of a dog called Herbert, who gets lost at sea. This suspenseful, and adventurous picture book is very moving, as it really emphasizes the special bond that Herbert and his owner ( a boy named Tim) share. There isn't a lot of text in “Herbert: The True Story of a Brave Sea Dog” and it's kept relatively simple, so I think it would be suitable for the ages of about 4 to 7. The beautiful illustrations fill up most of the pages, and the soft, watercolor tones really suit the heartfelt content. As well as this the front and back inside covers provide some interesting pictures and information about New Zealand's treacherous French Pass, and contain copies of the real newspaper account of Herbert's ordeal, letters from readers to Tim and photos related to the incident. I think this book would spark a lot of meaningful conversation amongst children about their pets. Also “Herbert: The True Story of a Brave Sea Dog” leaves much room for further classroom activities, such as researching the true story, the setting, exploring the themes (love, survival, bravery and hope), etcetera. ( )