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  • Published: 2 July 2018
  • ISBN: 9780143787457
  • Imprint: Random House Australia Children's
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 240
  • RRP: $16.99

The Dog with Seven Names




The heart-warming story of a golden-eyed dog in a time of war.

A tiny dog, the runt of the litter, is born on a remote cattle station. She shouldn’t have survived, but when Elsie finds, names and loves her, the pup becomes a cherished companion. Life is perfect … until War arrives.

With Japanese air raids moving closer, Elsie’s family leaves the Pilbara for the south and safety. But the small dog has to stay behind. After travelling far from home with drovers and a flying doctor, she becomes a hospital dog and experiences the impact of war on north-western Australia. She witnesses wonderful and terrible things and gives courage to many different humans.

But through all her adventures and many names, the little dog remembers Elsie, who girl who loved her best of all. Will she ever find her again?

A Children's Book Council of Australia Notable Book, 2019

  • Published: 2 July 2018
  • ISBN: 9780143787457
  • Imprint: Random House Australia Children's
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 240
  • RRP: $16.99

About the author

Dianne Wolfer

Dianne Wolfer is an award-winning author. Her book Lighthouse Girl served as inspiration for PIAF’s The Giants and was adapted into a stage production by Black Swan State Theatre Company. One of Dianne’s picture books, Photographs in the Mud (set along the Kokoda Track), is used as an international peace reference and has been published in Japanese; it is also a recommended resource for the National History Curriculum.

Also by Dianne Wolfer

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Praise for The Dog with Seven Names

War is often frightening and bewildering for those whose understanding is limited, like children. But can you imagine how a war would look through the eyes of a pet? That is the premise of this enchanting story seen through the eyes of the runt of a litter of pups born in the Pilbara region in Western Australia.

Troy Lennon, Daily Telegraph

Dog lovers, history buffs and fans of adventure will fall in love with this bundle of fur while learning how war touched our State.

Heather Zubek, West Australian

This is a well researched, well written novel for independent readers. Because of its nature, written from the viewpoint of an animal, it is the perfect text when working with inference skills with students ... It would also make an entertaining and insightful read-aloud for a class of students ... This book would suit a range of ages, from newly independent readers to lower secondary age readers who enjoy historical and/or animal stories.

Liz Derouet, lizderouet.wordpress.com

Highly recommended . . . Dianne Wolfer's junior novel is imaginatively written and well researched, exploring the impact of World War II on the residents, soldiers, families and evacuees in the north of Western Australia . . . The Dog with Seven Names is an excellent class novel for Middle and Upper Primary students.

Rhyllis Bignell, ReadPlus

An outstanding book set in wartime Australia . . . I would recommend this gentle book to readers age 9+. If you’re an animal lover, let Princess guide you through a book of friendship, love and caring!

Meredith, age 10, sunbookshop.com

A heart-warming story that not only tugs at the heart-strings but also brings to life the events of the early 1940s and their impact on north-western Australia, a region as historically remote to many as it is geographically, in a way that alerts children but doesn’t scare them . . . Independent readers who like animal stories will adore this.

Barbara Braxton, Teacher Librarian, thebottomshelf.edublogs.org

A simply lovely book, with a wonderful protagonist and a great entry to historical fiction for young readers. Highly recommended.

Sue Osborne, Magpies

Although I usually don’t like reading stories about war times, this book changed my mind by telling the story from the dog’s point of view. It gave me a new perspective of the way the war affected people and how they coped with the injuries from bombings up north . . . I think it is an inspiring book because Elsie never gave up hope of finding her Princess and Princess never forgot her Elsie.

Evan Alderslade, age 11, West Australian

What Dianne Wolfer has done in this new book, with aplomb and sensitivity, is to set the story of a loved dog against the little-known details of events in the Second World War in Western Australia . . . A moving and educative book. Highly recommended.

Julie Thorndyke, Reading Time

Awards & recognition

NSW Premier's Literary Awards

Shortlisted  •  2019  •  Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children's Literature

Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards

Shortlisted  •  2019  •  8–10 Years

CBCA Book of the Year Awards

Notable Book  •  2019  •  Younger Readers

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