Dear Hound

by Jill Murphy

Alfie the deerhound is a large grey puppy. He loves his boy Charlie, and cheese, and he's very good at digging holes. But poor Alfie has got lost and he's scared - of thunderstorms and being hungry and never seeing Charlie again . . . Meanwhile, Charlie doesn't know what to do - but one thing is for sure: he'll never stop looking for his dear hound. Can Alfie ever find his way back to Charlie - and his great big squashy beanbag in the kitchen? Written and illustrated by Jill Murphy, the creator of the much-loved Worst Witch series and picture book classics such as Peace at Last and The Large Family.

Genres: Animals, Childrens, Adventure, Fiction, Dogs, Novels

192 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2009

About the author

Jill Murphy was a London-born English children's author, best known for The Worst Witch series and the Large Family picture books. She has been described as "one of the most engaging writers and illustrators for children in the land."

Jill Murphy was born in London and attended the Ursuline Convent in Wimbledon which, together with the boarding school stories she enjoyed reading, provided much of the material and inspiration Miss Cackle's Academy in the The Worst Witch, which she started when she was 15. She put the book on hold as she attended both Chelsea and Croydon Art Schools, but continued to write it whilst living in a village in Togo, West Africa for a year and then whilst working as a nanny back at home. The book was published when Jill turned 24 and proved an instant success. However, Jill continued working as a nanny until the publication of The Worst Witch Strikes Again prompted her to devote herself to full-time writing. The Worst Witch stories have become some of the most outstandingly successful titles on the Young Puffin paperback list and have sold more than 3 million copies. They were also made into a major ITV series. She was also well known for her picture books and was commended in the 1980 Kate Greenaway Medal for Peace at Last. A Quiet Night In was shortlisted for the same medal in 1994. She was perhaps best known for the very popular Mr and Mrs Large picture books, which detail the domestic chaos of an elephant family. Five Minute's Peace won the 1987 Parents Magazine Best Books for Babies Award, as well as being shortlisted for the 1986 Children's Book Award. All in One Piece was highly commended for the 1987 Kate Greenaway Award and shortlisted for the 1987 Children's Book Award. The Last Noo-noo won the 0-5 category of the 1995 Smarties Book Prize and in the same year was shortlisted for the English 4-11 Outstanding Children's Book of the Year, going on to win the 1996 Sheffield Children's Book Award. It won the 1996 Gateshead Gold Award. In the same year it was adapted as a play and performed at the Polka Theatre, London.

Reviews

[Karen Arendt]

Nice story about a dog named Alfie who is boarded away from home for an overnight while his owner, A boy named Charlie, attends a wedding. Alfie doesn't understand why he is sent away and jumps the fence. The rest of the story is about Alfie surviving in the woods, making friends with two foxes, and finding his way home. Meanwhile, Charlie won't give up trying to find his dog, putting up posters and standing watch at various restaurants where people have sighted Alfie. A great story about never giving up, making friends, and believing things will work out.

[Mr. Steve]

Alfie the dog runs away and gets lost. We follow his adventures as he befriends a couple of foxes and tries to get back to his boy, Charlie. We also see Charlie on the other side trying to find Alfie with his mother. Pictures are throughout making it a quick, fun read - even for reluctant readers. Definitely a good book to recommend to all animal lovers.

[Red]

Beyond charming and with a lot of heart, foxes, food, and fun, this book's worth a read. The illustrations are great, the information on deer hounds is adorable, the foxes are some of the nicest ones you'll ever meet in a book, and it won't take you long to devour this treasure.

At under two-hundred pages, this is a fast and fun read with one of the best deer hounds ever written into a book.

[Nadina]

This was a precious story. I loved the alternating between telling what is happening woth alfie but also what Charlie is doing to try and find Alfie. The foxes are adorable and I loved them. The book had a good plot and pace. Loved it.

[Jill CD]

If you love animals, this book is for you. Charming, sweet, and the characters are just lovable.

[Raine Raine]

We loved this book! Alfie reminded us a lot of my in-laws old hound who was part deerhound and behaved very much like Alfie.

[Guido Riva]

Great

Brilliant book great story line with lots of fun and a good intro. Nice start with the ear stifles good.

[Abbie]

Read this to my 6 year old daughter. She loved it and said it was amazing and gets 5 stars.

[Jill Simpson]

Totally adorable page turner by a life long favourite author.

[Sophie]

It was a good book just a bit to easy and not entertaining enough for me

[Lucinda Real]

Beautifully written and illustrated story of a lost dog. One of the few books that I read with my daughter, and enjoyed more than she did.. What a great children's author Jill Murphy was...

[Nicole Beyer]

Read this book with my 6-year old grandson. Poor Alfie- are things ever going to align for him. Adorable story

[LudmilaM]

What a lovely, charming story. Loved the illustrations, gave the story character.

[Miffy]

Despite the shiny, shiny cover, this is a great little read. The 'hound' of the title is Alfie the deerhound, a hairy, flop-eared coward of a puppy, who is bossed around by the cat of the house, Florence. When Alfie's owner, Charlie, and his mother send Alfie to the dog-sitter's house when they go to a wedding, Alfie is so petrified that he runs away and gets lost. Just when Alfie thinks that he is going to starve, he meets some wonderful friends, Sunset and Fixit Fox. Over a number of months Alfie learns how to scavenge, and grows and grows, while Charlie never gives up hope that Alfie will be found.

Perfect for readers aged between 9 and 12, 'Dear Hound' is a wonderful story of resourcefulness, growing up and loyalty.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer]

This has got to be one of the cutest dog stories I've ever read! Alfie is such an appealing pooch, and Jill Murphy's illustrations make him all the more adorable. The pictures and text together create such a captivating story that you don't want it to end. I loved the way she explained, before the story began, about the various positions of a deerhound's ears and what they mean. It also gave me an appreciation for how lost dogs must feel and the problems and dangers they encounter. I will certainly be giving this book out as a Christmas present to one of my nieces this year. Very cute, and highly recommended!!

[Nbkyouth]

Heartwarming, gently humorous story of a "homeward bound" lost pet, Alfie the deerhound puppy, surviving in "the wild" with two friendly foxes until he and his owner Charlie can be reunited. This perfect read has strong vocabulary,and exciting plot twists for intermediate readers who love animals. yspn

[Bridget]

I adored this story. Lots of sniffly, sentimental moments. The warmth of the foxes and their compassion for a lost young pup. The never-give-up devotion of a young boy determined to bring his dog home. The suspense of scenes with the hunters who know he has a home, but capture him for their own purposes. A must read.

[Derek Mcknight]

Heartwarming is exactly the right turn of phrase that other reviewers have used. Illustrations are perfect, the book rolled along pleasantly and made me want to rush out and get a deerhound puppy tomorrow! The book was the literary equivalent of an evening in by a log fire with a dog at your feet and your kids at your side. Nice

[Charlie]

Dear hound was an amazing book I read because the story was happy, and the story was sad. Fixit and Sunset helped Alfie during the storms and Alfie saved Fixit from the lampers. My favorite part of the story was when Alfie finally got home. Here's why I gave it five stars.

[Carlyle]

As a child I found this book okay, I loved almost any book about any dog back then but this was a exception I personally found it boring and not that good. A lot of other people liked it, but it was not really for me. I would of rated it 1 or 2 stars but I gave it three because I like the ending.

[Hilary Wagner]

This is very cute so far and the illustrations, done by Jill Murphy, are great.

[Sylvia]

I had to research deer hounds after reading this book - the author obviously loves the breed. I also loved the illustrations - they really add to the story. Engaging and suspenseful.

[Leonela Serrano]

Very good book about a dog. You see what a dog thinks and fells and a lot of unusual thinhs in w book that makes this book very good.

[Mark Warner]

A lovely story about a lost dog and his struggle to be reunited with his owner. Fantastic illustrations too!

[Catriona]

My son was given this for Christmas. Started reading it to him tonight, and am getting worried that it is going to be too upsetting. May abandon it as neither of us is that interested in the story.

[Shelby]

I love this book

[Marie]

Sweet story of a scottish deerhound who gets lost in the woods and is befriended by foxes. Thanks to R.Lynn for the recommendation!

[Sue]

A very cute story of love and friendship... with a very happy ending.

[Books Kids Like]

Murphy tells of a deerhound puppy who gets lost in the woods and is befriended by a fox and his mate. Very endearing!

[Kirsten Varney]

I read this book for my mother/daughter book club (4th and 5th graders). It was a fun read - the girls really enjoyed it.