War Dogs: Churchill and Rufus

Publishers Weekly

Selbert’s debut illuminates the private and public personas of Winston Churchill in the thick of WWII. A warm, gentle side of his personality is evident through his interactions with his tan poodle, Rufus. Soft acrylic and collage illustrations capture the bond between the two, with Rufus looking on as the prime minister delivers a radio address at the House of Commons, accompanying his master while he surveys damage from German bombs, and helping Churchill “keep his spirits up” as he works with his allies to plan the invasion of Normandy. Quota­tions from Churchill’s speeches, set apart from the rest of the text, underscore his eloquence and aptitude as a diplomat. Selbert’s concise narrative addresses bombings, military operations, and rebuilding efforts in way that’s straightforward, but not frightening; after a nighttime raid (“Their home is under attack. The city smells of fire”), a somber wordless spread shows the blacked-out city of London shrouded in smoke, the outline of St. Paul’s cathedral barely visible. A WWII time line and biographical anecdotes about Churchill conclude this revealing dual portrait of a devoted pet owner and resolute politician. Ages 7–10. (Feb.)

Kirkus Reviews

An introductory look at Winston Churchill and his notable place in British history uses a clever narrative device that focuses on his miniature poodle, Rufus. Churchill was often compared to a bulldog due to his tenacity, and one of his nicknames was the British Bulldog. The book's title refers to both Churchill and his beloved pet, who accompanied the great leader throughout the war years. The touching story follows Churchill from 1940-45, summarizing his work leading the war effort in England with a succinct and accessible text. Evocative illustrations in acrylic and collage incorporate short quotations from Churchill, designed to look like typewritten notes pinned to the pages. The illustrations do a remarkable job of conveying war-torn London, with one striking, wordless spread showing London in blackout mode, the shadow of St. Paul's looming above. At war's end, Churchill and Rufus are shown from the back, sitting near their country home, "two war dogs" resting at last. By focusing closely on Churchill and his pet, Selbert effectively provides a starting point for children to begin to understand the complexities of World War II. The combination of thoughtful design, compelling illustrations and a winsome canine companion make this beginning biography stand out. (timeline, afterword, bibliography) (Informational picture book. 6-12)

School Library Journal

Gr 1–4—One thing that may have helped Churchill through the difficult World War II years was the company of his miniature poodle, Rufus. Taking a child's (or dog's) eye view, the book focuses on the prime minister's days as he worked in a reinforced underground bunker for safety during the Blitz. When he went on walks to assess the damage, the illustrations show destroyed buildings but not injured people or bodies. When he left to plan D-Day with Roosevelt and Stalin, Rufus guarded the bunker and awaited his return. World War II is covered in a compressed manner. Major points are mentioned but not in detail. Quotations from Churchill appear as small notes "thumbtacked" to the larger spreads. The author includes detailed notes about Churchill's life in general and his poodles in particular. A time line of World War II events provides historical context to the story. The acrylic and collage illustrations are primarily rendered in gentle earth tones. The resulting book is historically accurate, interesting, and appropriate for young children.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA