MILO: a moving story

by Tohby Riddle

A sweet and funny story about a city-dwelling dog, a day when everything goes wrong, a curious rescue and a surprising gift.

Milo's life is almost entirely unremarkable. He lives in a solid kennel in an okay part of town. Every other day he has a job delivering parcels.

Then Milo's life is turned upside down by an argument with his friend Snombo, followed by a strange wild storm that leaves him and his kennel in a precarious place.

So begins Milo's surprisingly remarkable journey back to his friends.

A warm and whimsical adventure by the acclaimed creator of My Uncle's Donkey and Nobody Owns the Moon.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Childrens, Fiction

48 pages, Hardcover

Published April 1, 2016

About the author

Tohby Riddle is an Australian cartoonist and picture-book creator. In 2005 he became editor of The School Magazine, in which his illustrations, non-fiction pieces and poems appear regularly. In 2009 he won the Patricia Wrightson Prize in the New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards with Ursula Dubosarsky for their book The Word Spy.

Reviews

[Cecilia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is weird.

The protagonist dogs are all humanoid (walk on two legs, dressed in complete outfits, have jobs, ride the public transport systems, etc) but they still live in dog houses and eat out of dog bowls? BUT there are also humans? It was *very* unsettling to see. It really made the drawings take a disturbing edge.

I don't remember much about the story itself because of the unsettling drawings.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Antiqued illustrations make this quiet story of two big dramatic moments—one social and one physical—a visual wonder. The story will feel odd or flat to many of today's adult readers who need quick movements in text, but those interested in modern illustration should certainly absorb this book in a series of well-turned pages. As always, I'm curious how the kids take to this unique presentation.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

A dog's house gets blown above the city. Eh...

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's so much to learn from this about picture books. The design, illustration and writing are all top notch. The feelings are understated and the text very tight. The story is told using action and fact. It has sweeping long shots and intimate views. There's a balance of light and dark tone on each spread. The characters are interesting and non-stereotypical, but yet we recognise the types. There is warmth and humour and pathos. There's an unusual and subtle colour palette. Oh boy, it's got everything!

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tohby Riddle does these gentle thoughtful stories so well. The feeling of having wronged a friend with an apology seeming impossible is something familiar to us all and rings out through this whimsical story. Another winner.