Stephen Michael King

"In the city lived a dog...who belonged to no one. He had to be brave, and fast, and smart...just to survive." And so begins Mutt Dog!, a poignant tale that, when combined with Stephen Michael King's endearing illustrations, will have the reader sniffling, and then smiling in turn. Hungry, lonely and frightened, the stray dog searches every day for something to eat, and every night for a safe place to rest. One evening he finds his way to a shelter for homeless people, and although there is show more no permanent place for him there, he eventually does find a home, as a result.

A book that, if you have any love for animals at all, is guaranteed to tug at your heart-strings, Mutt Dug! plunges its readers into a very disturbing reality, depicting a cityscape in which both canine and human occupants are in need of help. I liked that Mutt Dog's story, although it ends happily, highlights the plight of homeless people, as well as stray dogs, as I think the conjunction of the two will work to build compassion in young readers, who naturally sympathize with animals, and will be led to sympathize with people too. (I was reminded, in this respect, of the fact that the first laws to protect child welfare, here in the United States, came out of animal protection laws). The artwork is immensely expressive, capturing the ups and downs of Mutt Dog's journey perfectly, and accentuating the emotional impact of his story.

All in all, a wonderful book, one I would recommend to any young reader who loves dogs, and enjoys stories in which stray animals find homes (I'm a sucker for this kind of narrative, myself). I will definitely be checking out more of this talented Australian's work! show less

A young boy who can't do anything right meets a young girl who can do no wrong, and the rest (as they say) is history. Quickly becoming firm friends, Henry and Amy find that their very different ways of being - Henry can never seem to go in a straight line, or tell up from down, while Amy is always prepared, and knows how to do everything that is expected of her - does not prevent them from enjoying each other's company, instead enriching both of their lives. For the perfect little girl (not show more unexpectedly) long to be a little less perfect, while the perpetually out-of-step boy longs to fit in. Somewhere in the middle is happiness...

The second story I have read from Australian picture-book author/artist Stephen Michael King - the first was the poignant and appealing Mutt Dog! - Henry and Amy: (Right-Way-Round and Upside Down) is an engaging tale of two friends united by an all-too common experience: unhappiness with themselves as they are. I liked how the answer to this unhappiness lies in a tempering of those qualities which make them unique, rather than in outright change in one direction or another. The artwork, as I expected after enjoying Mutt Dog!, was very endearing. All in all, a sweet little book, one I would recommend to all children who worry about whether they're the way that they are "supposed to" be. show less

Told almost entirely through images, with the occasional sound-word thrown in, Australian author/artist Stephen Michael King's Leaf is an engaging tale of a young boy whose desperation to avoid a haircut leads to a very odd development. Racing outside to escape his mother, with her scissors in hand, he instead finds himself a planting pot of sorts, as a bird drops a seed on his head, and it takes root and begins to grow. Fortunately for the leafy plant in question, the boy knows just what to show more do to take care of it, and when the inevitable haircut does come, just where to transplant it...

I cannot say, in all honesty, that I enjoyed this one quite as much as some of Stephen Michael King's other picture-books - titles like Mutt Dog! and Henry and Amy:(Right-Way-Round and Upside Down) - but it was still an entertaining little romp. The artwork, which, by necessity, must carry the story, is engaging, and I particularly liked the depiction of the boy's canine companion. Recommended to children who enjoy wordless picture-books, and to fans of Stephen Michael King. show less

Three is a disabled stray dog but inquisitive and happy. Three soaks in the sun, enjoy a shower, and wags when fed. He roams the city all day long, exploring every other creature - those tiny six-legged ones living underground, the eight-legged ones winding down a tree, the two-legged, four-legged, and so on. But Three was happy being a three-legged. Finally, Three followed a sweet scent and walked far away from the cars and city noise. What happened to Three afterward?

We picked this book show more for its intriguing title. A disabled dog embraces everyday struggle with cheer and brightens it with an undying passion for exploring new things. And the positivity eventually helps the dog find a new, happy home. In addition, the brilliantly made illustrations complement the storyline.

Three by Stephen Michael King is a beautifully illustrated happy-ending story of a disabled dog that teaches hopefulness and compassion to young children. show less