Elf Dog & Owl Head by M.T. Anderson

Abstract

Reviewed by: Elf Dog & Owl Head by M.T. Anderson Kate Quealy-Gainer, Editor Anderson, M.T. Elf Dog & Owl Head; illus. by Junyi Wu. Candlewick, 2023 [240p] Trade ed. ISBN 9781536222814 $18.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R Gr. 4-6 In an experience that will likely be familiar to many young readers, Clay and his sisters are stuck at home after a global illness shut down the world and forced the tween boy online for school, crushing any sort of developing social life. On a walk through the woods, Clay encounters a strange little white dog, who offers the lonely kid companionship and then a bit of adventure, taking Clay off the forest path and into a world inhabited by owl-headed creatures. Despite it becoming clear quite quickly that the magical land holds potentially fatal danger, Clay is still drawn to it, especially when his real-world life only continues to feel more and more suffocating. Invited by owl-headed Amos to a celebration that brings various realms together, he returns, but unfortunately, the dog’s previous owners—the haughty People Under the Mountain—show up. They want their animal back, and they’ll resort to drastic measures if necessary. This is a charming, fantastical spin on the familiar kid/dog story, right down to their tragic separation being quickly followed by a heartwarming reunion. The third-person narration expands the story, though, shifting focus among the boy, the dog, and the boy’s family, giving secondary characters nuance and roles beyond merely supporting Clay. There’s a lot for contemporary kids to relate to here: Clay’s loneliness, his sister’s anger at being forced to stay home, his parents’ constant worry, and the general unfairness of the entire situation. Holding all that chaotic emotion together and framing it with a well-developed fantasy [End Page 183] world is an impressive feat, and Anderson, as usual, does it with aplomb. Final illustrations not seen. Copyright © 2022 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois