Digger the Hero Dog

PreS-Gr 1—Brookbank (Beautiful Scars: A Life Redefined) has adapted for children her account of survival and recovery after being severely burned. Her dog, Digger, tells the story of the explosion and fire that destroyed their home as well as Brookbank's subsequent treatment. Digger hears the explosion, wakes Brookbank by barking, and they run outside; the remainder of the book concerns the fire and recovery process. Each spread consists of a full-page illustration on the left and four lines of rhyming text over a tan background on the right; the pages are bordered with brown paw prints, which adds to the busy layout. The vocabulary used and the descriptions of the fire and medical treatments are vague and age appropriate, but the clunky rhyme does not convey the story well. The soft, digitally colored illustrations are more effective in telling the story than the text. Back matter provides safety tips drawn from reputable sources, including Shriners Hospitals for Children and the National Fire Protection Association.