I’m not quite sure how to feel about this book. In it a man adopts a puppy and teaches it to carry eggs in his mouth as well as fetch sticks. He’s trying to be hunting dog. On the first hunting trip when the hunter shoots a duck, and the dog retrieves it the dog takes it to an island, and brings back a stick. Every time the hunter and the dog go out the dog does this. He has an island of her ducks. The Hunter finds out and feels shame, so they nurse the ducks back together until he can release them healthy. Before I go farther, I should say the artist is amazing. It’s unusual. It’s unique and its quality perfectly sums up the discombobulated feeling left by the words of the book. It’s nice that the hunter nurses these birds back to health, but it’s horrible that he shot them to begin with. I have a problem with guns in picture books for kids. Hunting is a legitimate activity, and I understand that. But when animals are so often used to fableize humans, I would hate to think any little kids might get the idea to shoot someone and an adult can make it better. The US has a problem with guns. That is 100% the reason for my discombobulated feelings and I don’t care if hunting is legitimate sports, I do not think guns of any type should be in a picture book.

(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through Netgalley.)

-- 4.5 stars, rounded down to 4 where necessary --

A hunter trains his new pup to retrieve sticks and gently carry eggs in his mouth. Once he's mastered these skills, his human takes him duck hunting. Rather than deliver the injured birds to certain death, the dog hides them on a nearby island and brings his human a stick instead (just like he was trained! cue: malicious compliance). The pup cleans the birds' wounds and brings them food stolen from his human's kitchen under the cover of night. When his human catches him in the act, the hunter is immediately shamed by his own behavior. The human gathers all the ducks and brings them home. He nurses them back to health and sets them free once they've recovered.

HUNTER AND HIS DOG is a deceptively simple children's book that fosters compassion and empathy while countering speciesism. The art is a little quirky (the hunter more resembles a clown than anything else lol) but charming nonetheless, especially when it comes to the nonhuman animals.

The only reason it didn't give it a full five stars is because of Dog's origin: he was a purchase, not a rescue and, while it's certainly in keeping with the hunter's pre-enlightenment character, it would have been nice to have seen this practice challenged as well. (Adopt, don't shop!)

I love how Hunter and Dog shows the compassionate side of the hunting dog. His feelings for the hunted birds is so sweet. Great book for teaching lessons on caring for others, seeing things from others' perspectives, and introspection. The artwork is beautiful and different than most picture books.

What a sweet story of a tender heart and helping others. My grandchildren would enjoy this story thanks for the advanced copy.

The book 'Hunter and His Dog' by Brian Wildsmith wasn't what I expected. I realized after reading it that you can't judge a book by its title. The illustrations are so colorful and fascinating. Definitely not the illustrations you'd expect to see with a countryside setting, a farm, or a farmer. The story begins with a mother dog and her puppies. A hunter visits the farm to purchase a puppy to train as a hunting dog. Using a stick, the dog learns to play fetch. Afterward, the dog learns how to carry eggs in his mouth without cracking them. The hunter is finally ready to take the dog hunting! BOOM! The gun goes off! The duck falls to the ground. As the hunter commands, the dog runs to fetch it. The dog takes the duck to an island where he licks its wounds. But...he brings a stick instead of the duck back to the hunter. Again and again, this happens. The dog sneaks bread one evening to give to the wounded ducks...

It is a beautiful and endearing story. There are good lessons to be learned if children can move past ducks getting shot with guns and know they won't die.

This is a sweet story with beautiful illustrations. I loved how the pictures followed the story to help hold the child's attention. This is a great book.
I received a complimentary copy from Star Bright Books via NetGalley and was not required to write a review.
All opinions expressed are my own.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The art alone makes this book a must read. It is so detailed and vibrant. I would take any single page, frame it, and hang it in my home. Somewhere I could see it everyday.

As an animal lover, and someone who was not raised by or near hunters, I loved this book. My daughter has the same tender heart toward animals. I can just hear her gasp and see her face as she would look up at me when the hunter shoots the first duck. Horror, Dismay. Devastation. Disgust. Most likely directed at me for having the nerve to read her this book. And she would take the dog's actions as proof that animals are as much better than people as she had always assumed they were. Which, you know, is fair. It's a solid five star book for my family.

But I'll add that if you or your child do enjoy hunting, maybe steer clear of this one. It's definitely for people who love animals enough that they at least feel morally reprehensible when they have bacon for dinner. If that isn't you, this may not be a great choice for you. Or. You could just look at the pictures.

A tender-hearted book for anyone who loves animals. In the story, a dog trained for hunting ducks nurtures them instead, tending to their wounds and bringing them safely to an island for rescue. It reminds me of similar books I read my sons when they were little that encouraged kindness over toxic masculinity: William's Doll, or Olive Button is a Sissy. I have never seen a book depicting a hunting dog in this way and it is fantastic! Gorgeous illustrations and vivid language will engage small children. I am ordering a hard copy for my grandson. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. #HunterandHisDog #NetGalley