Strongheart: The World's First Movie Star Dog

by Emily Arnold McCully

Strongheart may have been a movie star, but he wasn't always famous. He started out as a police dog who could sniff out criminals and march like a soldier, but he didn't know how to have fun. Larry Trimble was a Hollywood director who wanted to put Strongheart in his movies―not just as a pet but as the lead actor. Larry taught him to play with toys and walk like a regular dog. In his films, Strongheart brought audiences to tears. He was a sensation! But when Strongheart's military training led to trouble, was his career over?
Set in the early days of silent movies, Emily Arnold McCully's extraordinary story about a real-life hero will capture the hearts of dog lovers and movie fans everywhere.

Genres: Picture Books, Dogs, Nonfiction, History, Biography, Animals, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

First published November 11, 2014

About the author

Emily Arnold McCully received the Caldecott Medal for Mirette on the High Wire. The illustrator of more than 40 books for young readers, she divides her time between Chatham, New York, and New York City.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for a group, enjoyed it quite a bit. The illustrations did a good job of portraying some of the culture of the setting of the early 1920s. And the author's note did cite references. Now, I'm not quite convinced that any dog could be quite that amazing... but I do accept that this German Shepherd was an amazing dog.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

While brave and adorable dogs might seem to have always been a staple of the movie world, it wasn't always so. This picture book biography describes how an intelligent German shepherd who became known as Strongheart for obvious reasons was trained to work in silent films. The offspring of champion police dogs, Etzel (his original name) worked hard as a puppy. In fact, when Larry Trimble, a movie director and animal trainer, decided to adopt him, the first thing he taught the protective canine was how to play. The text and lively illustrations, created with watercolor, pen and ink, show Strongheart's personality perfectly while also paying tribute to his loyalty and his strength. He performed all the stunts in the six movies in which he appeared. Animal lovers will enjoy this story and relate to how his dog was a better judge of character than many human beings are. How lovely to have Strongheart's story, told with humor and affection, preserved for future generations!

[Katt Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love picture books that teach something about the world we live in. This time the story is about a dog, who starred in movies a long time ago. Loved the look into the world of silent movies, though I have to wonder if this book is a little more for adults than kids. Still, it's a fascinating way to show them many things: about how animals are trained, about rescue pets, about how movies were made a long time ago, and about loyalty and devotion.

But picture books should first entertain, before they teach, which I felt this book did. I enjoyed learning about Strongheart and had fun tracking down his movies on Youtube when I finished reading the story.

[Stephen Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice children's book. Short page of history in the end. Glad it is now in my collection of dog books and the slice of history that Strongheart represents.

[Anton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily Arnold McCully short story Strong heart
Strong heart was born at first, but a month after he was born he joined the police dog school. At the same time, the former movie star died. The two producers began to look for new movie stars.
In the middle, he start to make a film the film is Caused a sensation and strongheart be famous and people like he. and the he make 3 films. In the last film he have a girl friend.
In the end Some people think he ate a little girl. So he went to prison, and on the day of his execution a group of little boys with little girls came. They were saved.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

The true story of the first dog to emerge as a film star. An author's note at the end fills in some of the missing details.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

Decent illustrations (watercolour, ink & pen on watercolour paper), and an interesting story.
It's about the life of Strongheart, a German Shepherd brought from Germany to the U.S. after WWI, and was adopted by a director who wanted to make a new type of film, with an animal as the star. It talks about how they trained him after they took him home, and the life he lived afterwards. There's also more information in the author's note at the back.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strongheart aka Etzel is a former police dog used in Germany in World War 1, sent to America after the war and adopted by Animal Trainer and Film Director Larry Trimble, to use as the first dog movie star in Hollywood.
Larry brings Etzel around to remember how to play, but also Etzel learns and follows commands, does his own stunts and has great emotion.

Very cool story based off a real dog, and the first but not the last Silent Film Star who walked on 4 legs

Show Me Winner

[Katie Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great look at Strongheart, one of the first dog film stars. I particularly enjoyed reading about how Larry Trimble trained Strongheart to play, as well as work. I'm looking forward to reading Candace Fleming's book on Strongheart as well.

[Dione · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical Fiction based on the life of an ex-police dog from Berlin turned Hollywood actor in the 1920s. Exciting to read, incredible illustrations! Kids are going to love this book. Now I want to have a German Shepherd dog!!

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The kids will go nuts for this. I'm also reading the new Candace Fleming longer book about him and will probably recommend for RICBA.

[Lindy MacLaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating... Who knew?

[Jillian Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book to introduce Strongheart to kids!

[Ender · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dog lovers are sure to enjoy this real-life story about Hollywood’s first canine star.

Ages 3+

[Relyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a picture book biography for the world's first movie star dog. I love it. So do my students.

[Maria Box · Rating 5 out of 5]

(2014) This book was an amazing story about the world's first movie star dog. I think this would be a fun read to show how biography books can come in all different forms.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book since it was on the MO Show Me Readers Award list for 2016-17. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Not sure how much my students will relate to the topic of silent movies, but I like that it is based on a true story. I will probably have to explain what silent films are as well as what World War I was since most of our elementary students will not have this background knowledge since they do not study this part of history until Middle School or even High School.

This will be a good way to introduce students to animal heroes and I can expand on this story by having students research other animal heroes. My students have always loved animal stories, especially dogs.

I like how the author told the back history of Strongheart before he became a movie star and hero. It was great that she showed how police dogs are trained in Germany. The illustrations are great and really help the story move along even when they are minimal. I was a little concerned when Etzel crashes through the window, but I like that Larry realized he was a police dog and commanded him to stop. I will put in a disclaimer to students to not try this at home or anywhere else since they could be accidentally bitten.

I like how the movie directors realizes Etzel needed time to learn how to play like most dogs. Even the kitten was cute since it taught Etzel to play, but follow rules. I like how the author talked about Etzel's facial expressions which helped him when he starred in the movies. Having the police dog background really helped him be able to do all of his own stunts. I thought it was funny when Strongheart was served a large steak at the table like humans do in a restaurant.

It was interesting when Strongheart knew the visitor was up to no good since he was lying about what his job was. Dogs are smarter than we give them credit. Strongheart was a hero onscreen and off-screen. I also liked the author's note at the end which helped me understand the history behind dogs as actors and heroes. This will be great to use with my students.

Overall, great book that I will read to my students in the fall and we can discuss other dog actors and heroes.

[Olivia Rodgers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about a German Sheppard who was trained to be a guard dog in Germany but once no longer needed he sent to dog pound in America. When he gets adopted his life will change forever as he becomes a movie star. I really enjoyed this book because it shows the loyalty of a dog and how they really are man’s best friend. I also enjoyed the picture that the illustrator used for this book. Some teaching ideas for this book are that it could be used to help show an example of a Newbery Medal winner. It had very well developed literary elements. Another example is it could be used to show how pictures can be powerful and help tell the story other than the words. One last teaching idea is that it is a simple read and could be used to help young readers develop the reading ability and start to understand what makes a good story.

[Ro Menendez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fictional account based on the life of real-life canine actor Etzel von Oeringen, later know as dog movie star Strongheart. Readers will enjoy getting to know this dog who seemed so attuned with his owners, that he was even able to defend them from a dog-trainer posing as a journalist, out to steal the secrets of how to train dogs, by attacking him before any secrets were revealed! Dog lovers will especially delight in reading how fantastic Strongheart was as a dog and an actor. The illustrations in soft watercolor pastels add to the warmth of the story, and the depiction of what was worn, the camera equipment, and what the theater looked like will give readers an idea of the time frame where the story was set. The author’s note and biography will add fact to the fictional retelling of this dog’s life as well as provide sources for further investigating.

[Martha · Rating 3 out of 5]

The true story of Strongheart: The World's First Movie Star Dog tells how the first Movie star dog got selected. Raised in Germany as a police dog, he was shipped to the U.S. and placed in a kennel in NYC after World War I ended. A movie director looking for a dog for his movie, went to Strongheart's kennel and recognized how alert and well trained this dog appeared to be. His intuition proved correct and the rest is history. This is a very brief story that covers most of the lifespan of this remarkable dog's life. Focusing on one portion of Strongheart's life would have helped readers become more engaged in the dog's personality, however its shorter length and McCully's magnificent watercolor illustrations are so full of life, it would be a good choice for a read aloud.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fictionalized account of the life of Strongheart, the first movie star dog. The author takes some liberties with his story (which she explains in the author's note) so this can't be considered true nonfiction. I was not a fan of this illustration style with the text--it seemed too cartoonish for the subject matter. I was also a little disappointed to read in the author's note that Strongheart died relatively young due to injuries sustained on the set of one of his movies. What on earth were they having the poor dog do? I'm curious about him now and wouldn't mind learning more about him in the future, as well as looking into how the show business industry has changed for animals over the years.

[Lisa Lathrop]

This is a primary and picture book selection for Jack. It's 40 pages, full of illustrations and not too heavy on the text, and rated for preschool to grade 3.

I chose this book for Jack to tap into his love of animals and movies. It is the story of the first motion picture dog. It also relates to one of his favorite movies "How To Train Your Dragon" in that Etzel requires training as an actor/stuntdog after his tour of duty as a police dog in the German military.

My statement to Jack: "Hey Jack. I think I found a book that you might like. It's about a police dog who becomes a movie star. Of course he needs some training...kind of like how Hiccup does in "How To Train Your Dragon." Here you go. Let me know what you think."

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mankind's love affair with dogs has been around for a long time. Our love affair with the movies hasn't been around as long, but it's just as strong, the two were bound to meet sooner or later. Strongheart is the fictionalized story of the dog that brought the two together. Trained as a police dog, Strongheart didn't know how to play when Larry Trimble adopted him. This is an interesting story about the intelligence and heart that dogs can offer. A fun book that is bound to be enjoyed by dog and movie lovers.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unbeknownst to me, stretching back to the era after World War I, another canine is responsible for the fame found by dogs on the silver and later the television screen. Based on factual research, this fictionalized account, Strongheart: The World's First Movie Star Dog (Henry Holt And Company, November 11, 2014) written and illustrated by Emily McCully, shines the spotlight on a little-known hero. With the assistance of his humans this dog became a household name.

My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...

[Jeff Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a LOT of true stories among this year's Show-Me Reader and GKCRead lists, and many focus on animals as the main characters, but what makes this story even more interesting is that Strongheart is a celebrity not just because of this book but because he was a silent film star -- and the first to be a canine! The illustrations are detailed and realistic, the book is very informative but still engaging for young readers, and the closing section of the book shares even more information about Strongheart's story.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who could resist a book about silent film history and a dog? This briefly tells the story of Strongheart (that's his screen name, anyway), the first dog to star in his own film. A nice bedtime tale for kids, but I'm not sure this is one that's so riveting they'll want to read again and again. That said, I suspect not too many adults know about Strongheart so there will be something for everyone here!

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before Rin Tin Tin, there was Etzel von Oeringen, a German Shepherd who was brave and strong and devoted. Strongheart, the canine celeb's screen name, tells this ruff-to-riches story. Author/illustrator Emily Arnold McCully weaves information on the early days of cinema into this tale of a dog.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I love about books is that it can introduce you to things you have never been exposed to. I have no idea who Strongheart was and now, I am a fan. A dog from Germany that after WWI came to the US and then became a silent picture star. Very interesting story. Check out the youtube video about this amazing pup!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IN1Vy...

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the 1020s, Strongheart introduced America to the German Shepherd breed when he was selected to star in a movie. Interesting for dog and and movie lovers. Author's Note and Bibliography.
"Watercolor and pen and ink on watercolor paper were used to create the illustrations for this book."

[Donna Nix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fictionalized account of the story of Strongheart, first movie star dog. While I liked the story, I wasn't as fond of the illustration style, which felt more modern than the time of the events (colors seemed too bright for example).