Invisible Dogs
Publisher: Rocket Bird Books
Ida finds the playground games at her new school too noisy and strange. Even when playing her favourite game of invisible shops with Grandpa at home, she can’t stop feeling nervous about tomorrow. But Grandpa has a brilliant idea. Ida should take two invisible dogs into school to keep her company!
With her imaginary canine friends by her side, Ida feels much more confident. Before long, all the children in the playground want invisible pets and Ida’s worries seem far away!
This book celebrates imagination superbly and readers will love the playful humour of the invisible dogs and the chaos they cause! There is a fun use of neon colours to separate the real from the imaginary and depictions of school life are accurate and reassuring with a diverse and friendly mix of characters.
This is a sensitive title which explores common worries children may have when starting school. It would be a good choice to read with a child before they begin in a new setting to remind them of the powers of creativity and to reassure them about school life.
Invisible Dogs also celebrates grandparents, with Ida’s grandpa being a very reassuring and playful character who is central to the plot.