D-Day Dog

🐾🪂💣

by Tom Palmer

★★★★

Things I loved:

✅ Based on true events and people (D-Day paratroopers)

🐶 The strong bond between Jack and his dog

📚 How easy the book is to read and follow

❤️ The emotional moments that really make you think

🌍 Learning about both D-Day and modern-day conflicts

👧 Kasandra’s story adding a new perspective

✈️ The exciting and meaningful trip to Normandy

At a glance

✍🏼 Author: Tom Palmer

🎨 Cover artist: Tom Clohosy Cole

📅 Release Date: 2nd May 2019

📚 Book type: Barrington Stoke Chapter, 120 pages

🌟 Reader level: Growing (content 8+)

Dive Deeper

Review

“D-Day Dog” is war-packed and easy-to-read book for children in UKS2. Published by Barrington Stoke, the language is simple, but the story is super engaging. The pages are easy on the eyes, with big fonts and plenty of space, so it’s perfect for readers who might find longer books challenging.

If you love Tom Palmer’s stories, you’re in for a treat! Although (as usual when animals are involved), I did shed a tear or two 🥲

In “D-Day Dog,” we follow Jack, a young boy who loves war games and his dog. As he prepares for his Year 6 residential to Normandy, Jack begins to learn about paratrooper Emile Corteil and his dog, Glen who fought to defeat the Nazis on D-Day. As Jack learns more about the real costs of war, he meets Kasandra, a girl from Syria, and he begins to understand how war affects real people and animals.

This book is full of heart and really makes you think. It’s not just about history; it’s about friendship, courage, and the bond between humans and animals. I also learnt a lot about D-Day and why it has become one of the most important events in British history!

I would recommend D-Day Dog to any reader who is interested in WW2, British history or would like to polish up on their D-Day knowledge! This is a wonderful book for young readers and a great addition to any history lessons

Blurb

Jack can't wait for the school trip to the D-Day landing beaches. It's his chance to learn more about the war heroes he has always admired brave men like his dad, who is a Reserve soldier.

But when his dad is called up to action and things at home spiral out of control, everything Jack believes about war is thrown into question. Finding comfort only in the presence of his loyal dog, Finn, Jack is drawn to the heart-wrenching true story of one particular D-Day paratrooper.

On 6 June 1944, Emile Corteil parachuted into France with his dog, Glen - and Jack is determined to discover their fate

Should I read this book?

You should read this book if you...

love war stories

enjoy books based on real people

want to learn more about D-Day

Reader level: Growing

Content: 8+

Help me to read

D-Day: 6th June 1944, A very important day during World War II when many Allied soldiers landed on the beaches of France to help free Europe from the Nazis

Normandy: A region in France where the D-Day landings happened. It has beaches, farms, and small towns.

Paratrooper: A special soldier who jumps out of an airplane using a parachute to land safely.

Afghanistan: A country in Asia with tall mountains and deserts. Many different groups of people live there, each with their own traditions and languages.

Syria: A country in the Middle East where a long and very serious war has been happening. Many families had to leave their homes to stay safe, and people around the world have been trying to help.