Really Fun Fact Finding

Gotta Go Back For The Dog by Sara Wheeley is a marvellous historical children’s novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Sara Wheeley has presented historical facts in a really fun way as we follow three children and their dog time hopping to key events.

This book was a real treat for me as a historian – my insatiable quest for knowledge was satisfied, and it was also a real trip down memory lane.

Readers are treated to the suffragette movement, the Wall Street crash, evacuation and much more. For me, it was a step back in time to my childhood as I remembered the Blue Peter time capsule being planted and Brian Cant was my favourite children’s presenter. Live Aid is another significant event I remembered.

The whole book was absolutely wonderful. Much of it is written through the eyes of a sixteen year old.

I think Gotta Go Back For The Dog is a really fun way to introduce children aged ten years and over to historical events. May facts were included and as the book is written in the first person we ‘feel’ as if we are there.

I would recommend this book to everyone. For the younger audience it is a chance to learn. For the older audience it is a retro trip that will awaken memories in you. It is a superb read.

I think this book would make a fabulous television series for children.

I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

JULIA WILSON