Herbert: The True Story of a Brave Sea Dog

by Robyn Belton

A boy never gives up hope when his little dog vanishes at sea in this suspenseful and heartwarming true-life adventure.

Herbert was a small dog who lived by the sea. Everybody loved him, but the person who loved him best of all was Tim. One fine day, Herbert sets off on a boat with Tim’s father. But without warning, a storm crashes in — and so begins the biggest adventure of Herbert’s life. This stirring true story, written and illustrated by Robyn Belton, tells the remarkable tale of a young boy’s beloved dog and his real-life adventure at sea.

Genres: Picture Books, Dogs, Adventure, Nonfiction, Childrens, Animals, Storytime

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Robyn Belton is one of New Zealand’s best known and most accomplished illustrators of children’s books. After studying at the Canterbury School of Fine Arts, Belton began her career in 1977 illustrating the School Journal. Belton’s first storybook was The Duck in the Gun, written by Joy Cowley, which won the Russell Clark Award in 1985. With its powerful anti-war message, the book quickly established an international following and was one of ten children’s books selected for the Hiroshima Peace Museum. With many major awards to her name, in 2006 Belton won the prestigious Margaret Mahy Medal.

Reviews

[MadZiddi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing how a real-life story has been adapted into a successful picture book for kids. Has pictures of the real herbert and his owner so that kids can relate with them

[Maddypictures · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on a true story of an amazing lost-at-sea dog's survival, this New Zealand import is reminiscent of Robert McCloskey's classic stories. There's a timeless, old-fashioned feel to this book, with many full-spread watercolor pages.

Tim and his dog Herbert are heading to a cottage in Marlborough Sounds. Tim will go with his mother by road, and Herbert and Tim's father by boat. It's a beautiful day, with dolphins leaping in the bay. The weather turns quickly though, and as the waves climb, Herbert is washed overboard. There's no indication in the text, but the pictures show a dolphin, helpfully nudging Herbert to the surface. Although Tim's father is certain that Herbert could not have survived, he bows to Tim's wishes, and they sail out anyway. Tensions are high and Tim tells his dad, "This will be the worst or the best day of my life." Miraculously, Herbert is found, still paddling after thirty hours in the water.

The endpapers are lovely, the front endpapers are decorated with a hand-drawn map of Tasman Bay, showing the route that Herbert takes, along with a collage of found items and photos of Herbert and Tim, the back with newspaper clippings, letters, and photos.

I would recommend this heartwarming dog story for ages 4-8.

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Herbert The Brave Sea Dog by Robyn Belton - A True New Zealand Story - I love animal survival stories. Adorable little dog illustrations with a story about a little dog lost in a terrible storm. Also the faith of the owner as well.

[Donna Mork · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love dog stories, and I love true stories. So this is a great book for me. True story of a dog who falls off the boat during a bad storm. They go back later, expecting him to be dead. After 30 hours in the water, they found him, still swimming, exhausted but alive. He got a reward for being brave and a party after he recovered. The boy believed in his heart that the puppy was alive, and he was!

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the true story of a boy, Tim, and his beloved little dog, Herbert. Herbert goes out on the boat with Tim's dad but in a sudden storm it isn't noticed until too late that Herbert had fallen overboard into the ocean. When the storm had calmed enough, Tim was determined that they all go looking, believing his beloved dog to still be alive. Lovely illustrations.

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Came across this one while weeding my school library of books that had been checked out once or never in the last 7 years. Nice story based on actual events, which were miraculous given the weather conditions. The color palette is a little dark, but I love the photos, news reports, and other items pertaining to Herbert's ordeal on the endpages.

[Serenity · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet story about a dog's struggles in an ocean.

[Esther May · Rating 4 out of 5]

We loved reading about this very brave, and lucky dog.

[Brianna]

friendship, dog, sea, sad

[SABRINA · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wonderfully true story of a pooch who survived the sea! AMAZING!

[Jeanine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can be used to discuss weather, water, survival, etc.

[Nancy Messina · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids loved this book. Warren loved finding the dog in the pictures and Winry liked that it was a true story.

[Grumpy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations

[kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

not very exciting

[Shayla Giuliani · Rating 5 out of 5]

brave dog survives the sea

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Illustrator: Robyn Belton
Age: 4-8
Summary: It is the true story of a dog that fell overboard a boat in New Zealand and was found 30 hours later by his owner, a little boy, still alive.
Applications/Uses: Could be used to discuss true stories and what changes when they are made into a story (fact vs. nonfacts- real pictures, anecdotes located in the back of the book) Also could be used for geography explorations of New Zealand.
Themes/Connections: True story (newspaper clipping in the back), never give up story, New Zealand
Awards: None

[Devone Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up this book after finding out it was based upon a true story. The pictures were pretty but the story just didn't keep my interest. Herbert the dog gets lost at sea in a storm and survives for 30 days before his family finds him. Throughout the ordeal Tim never gives up that he will find his companion again. The story tells a lot about faith and hope. I would recommend this book to older students but a younger audience may have a hard time focusing while reading this book.

[Karen Arendt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true story of a dog from New Zealand that fell overboard but was not found until 30 hours later. Would tie in nicely with Two Bobbies. The illustrations have long dark lines with an almost sketch-like fell. The actual newspaper article and letters from people sharing their happiness over Herbert being found are on the endpapers.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very sweet story of the dog named Herbert who grew up by the sea and was loved by a little boy named Tim. One day, Herbert heads out to sea with Tim's father and therefore is about to set out on the journey of a lifetime. This is a great story about never giving up on someone. The illustrations in this book are just precious!

[Candi]

Ages 4 and up

[MCPLD Youth Department]

This is an endearing story of the love of a boy for his dog. Great read!!

[Maggy Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Themes: true story, weather, loss of pet, keeping faith

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars Sometimes you just need a feel good read...and this is it.. Hurrah to Herbert ...the brave sea dog who survive 30 plus hours in the ocean!