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Children's Fiction Dogs

How Dog Became A Friend

by (author) Paul O'Neill

illustrated by Cynthia Colosimo

Publisher
Flanker Press
Initial publish date
Oct 2007
Category
Dogs, General
Recommended Age
5 to 10
Recommended Grade
3
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781894463935
    Publish Date
    Oct 2007
    List Price
    $11.95

Classroom Resources

Where to buy it

Description

Today dogs are considered man’s best friends, but thousands of years ago the world was a very different place and dogs were animals to be feared. This all changes one autumn day when a young brother and sister wander too far from home and are captured by the Old Hag of the Wilderness. The terrified young children beg passing animals for help, yet none will come to the rescue. But then Dog comes along . . .?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

 

 

 

Accompanied by charming watercolour illustrations, How Dog Became A Friend tells an enchanting story of how Dog left his cold and barren home to come and live among people.

About the authors

Writer, actor, community activist and CBC producer, Paul O'Neill was born in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1928. Educated at St. Bonaventure's College in St. John's and the National Academy of Theater Arts in New York, O'Neill was an aspiring actor in the United States and England from 1949-1952, where he worked with well-known names such as Cloris Leachman and Eddie Albert. He began his career in radio in 1953 with the CBC in Newfoundland where he produced many radio shows and TV shows such as Reach for the Top, Skipper and Company and Music Craft, before retiring in 1986. O'Neill has written several books on Newfoundland history including, Breakers (1982), Legends of the Lost Tribe (1976) and The Oldest City (1975). In addition to his contributions on Newfoundland history O'Neill wrote a Spindrift and Morning Light- 1968, A Sound of Seagulls (1984), Upon This Rock, the story of the Roman Catholic Church in Newfoundland and Labrador (1984). He has served as the founding president of the Newfoundland Writers' Guild, chairman of the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council and president of the St. John's Folk Arts Council. In 1988, O'Neill was awarded an honorary LL.D by Memorial University of Newfoundland and in 1990, he was appointed to the Order of Canada. In 2004, he was awarded the Freedom of the City and in 2008, received Order of Newfoundland and Labrador. Paul O'Neill wrote his memoirs during the last years of his life. He passed away on August 13, 2013.

Paul O'Neill's profile page

Originally from Thunder Bay, Cynthia Colosimo has lived in Labrador for sixteen years where she has worked on a number of community development and heritage projects. She also illustrated Anguti’s Amulet, a story about an 18th century Inuit boy, based on the archaeology of the Adlavik Islands in Northern Labrador. Cynthia has a BFA in drawing from the University of Manitoba and an MFA in printmaking from Concordia University. She is married to an archaeologist and has one child, another aspiring artist.

Cynthia Colosimo's profile page

Awards

  • Short-listed, Heritage and History Award

Librarian Reviews

How Dog Became A Friend

Told through beautifully descriptive language and gorgeous illustrations, this story, set in Labrador in ancient times, explains how dogs came to live with people as companions. Brother and Sister, while wandering the tundra berry picking, ignore their parents’ warnings about the dangers of traveling too far from camp. They end up being strung up by their hoods at the top of a tree by Old Hag of the Wilderness. Passing animals refuse their requests to be rescued. Finally Dog passes by, rationalizes the need to hunt for survival, and agrees to say the magic words that release the children. As a reward, Dog is invited to live among humans.

O’Neill, an internationally acclaimed author and poet, is a recipient of the Order of Canada. Colosimo lives and works with communities in Labrador.

Source: The Association of Book Publishers of BC. Canadian Aboriginal Books for Schools. 2008-2009.

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