If your child finds it hard to concentrate during story time, look no further than Mônica Caresi’s new book, “Little Dog Lost: The True Story of a Brave Dog Named Baltic” (Nancy Paulsen Books). Although recommended for kids ages 3-5, we found that even us parents were eager to turn the pages of this exciting adventure tale to find out how a pet who got stuck on an ice floe on the Vistula River in Poland could possibly survive after drifting 60 miles and into the Baltic Sea.
Compassionate firemen attempt to rescue the dog — and fail. Day turns into a very cold winter’s night, and the dog hangs on. Caresi’s beautiful illustrations evoke all of the emotions of the tenacious canine that withstands hunger, thirst, fear and the frigid temperatures for two days — as well as his happiness upon being rescued and cared for by the crew of a scientific research vessel.
A page of photographs and additional text satisfy curiosity about the real-life pooch and his hero. “Little Dog Lost” is one book you won’t mind reading over and over again.
“Little Dog Lost” by Mônica Caresi, $15.99.
