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Eric Kahn Gale quickly became one of my favourite children’s authors thanks to Nosewise and The Zoo at the Edge of the World.
His sense of humour pervades his work and shines through, especially in the character of Nosewise.
Nosewise may have been based on a joke between the author and his fiancée about their own dog, Bowser, but it turned into a wonderful tale.
What’s it about?
The Wizard’s Dog is basically a retelling of the Arthurian legend (or at least part of it) from the perspective of Nosewise – Merlin’s dog and friend (though he considers himself the packmate of Merlin and Morganna).
Nosewise spends his days practising his magic – sit, stay, rollover, and hating the stupid door. But when he tries on Morgana’s magic amulet, not only does he find he can speak to humans, but he may be able to do a little magic of his own!
When Merlin is kidnapped, there is no way Nosewise is just going to sit back – he’s got to save his pack! Thus begins a magical adventure into the world of Arthur, Fae worlds and fantasy.
What I liked best about The Wizards Dog.
- It’s humorous and clearly written by someone very familiar with dogs. For anyone who has a pooch or is canine-mad it’s perfect. Kahn Gale actually states in his bio that the book began as a joke he told his fiancée about his own dog, Bowser. This shines through in the book – clearly, he can put himself in a dog’s shoes, or paws!
- It’s magical, full of fantasy and fun. There’s lots of magical elements, as you’d expect with Merlin, but we are also introduced to the Fae realm (the realm of the fairies) and the magic they wield.
- The illustrations are wonderfully expressive and match the text brilliantly. The images are black and white and dotted throughout the book. Those depicting Nosewise are especially good, with just the right amount of goofy cuteness to straddle that fine line between reality and cartoon – a perfect mix to reflect his character in the story.
- It’s the Arthurian legend in a totally different light. The tales of King Arthur are numerous and can verge on the dark side for kids. This retelling is a wonderfully imaginative introduction for a younger audience. There is just enough suspense and peril to keep the reader interested and concerned for the characters, without delving into some of the potentially inappropriate areas you may find in, say, Mary Stewart’s Merlin Trilogy.
Who would like it?
I think children aged six and over will enjoy the story. Anything younger than that and I doubt they would appreciate the humour.
Certainly, any dog lover will find it a firm favourite. Nosewise is so well written you can practically feel what it’s like to be in his doggy world!
The story never gets too dark or menacing so I suspect once into teenage years it may be a little tame, though younger sensitive teens may find it an interesting read.
In summary
The Wizard’s Dog is a witty and unique take on the tale of Arthur and Merlin, perfect for younger readers even if they have no knowledge of the legend (or have only seen Disney’s Sword in the Stone).
It’s a humorous read with a wonderful canine character at its centre. Full of magic and fantasy, but never too dark or scary.
Kahn Gale weaves his tale with enough energy to keep the reader entertained while not skimping on the story. A perfect read for those over six.