Saint Bernard: Mountain Retriever

Children's Literature - Julia Beiker

Instead of a book limited to facts about the Saint Bernard, this story introduces the reader to the many ways Saint Bernards can relate to humans. They can function as therapy dogs in a library for reluctant readers or help care for a child with autism to keep him safe. Rudolph also gives the young reader a history of how Saint Bernards were used to help save people in the Swiss Alps when they disappeared under snow or got lost. Next, we learn that their size can be a problem—if a Saint Bernard is not properly trained as a young dog, they can cause havoc by reaching up on cabinets and even knock over people (especially children). However, Saint Bernards do tend to be the gentlest kind of pet and will be protective of children. The book reads easily and presents facts in small pieces so as to not overwhelm the reader. Photographs and illustrations tell the rest of the story. Bold-faced vocabulary within the text are found in the glossary at the back of the book. This book is part of the "Big Dogs Rule" series. Reviewer: Julia Beiker