How Dog Became A Friend by Paul O'Neill

A Picture Book Review of the Retelling of an Old Arctic Tale

Mar 30, 2009 Stella Walsh

How Dog Became A Friend, by the multi-talented Paul O'Neill, is a superbly crafted retelling of an old arctic tale about how Dog left the wilds to live among people.

This tale, set in Labrador, demonstrates the close relationship between the people of the land and their environment. In its telling, it evokes the wonderful feeling of sitting around a campfire, listening to a master storyteller.

This picture book tells the story of two Maritime Archaic children who go away from their camp to pick berries. When they encounter the Old Hag of the Wilderness, she uses her magic to trap them. All of the animals who happen by refuse to help them. Then Dog arrives and considers what they have to say.

Author Paul O’Neill

Paul O’Neill has been an actor, teacher, community activist and traveler. He is a graduate of the National Academy of Theatre Arts in New York, acting professionally in the United States and England until 1953. He was also a CBC producer, retiring from this position in 1986.

O’Neill was the founding president of the Newfoundland Writers’ Guild and has received many awards, including the Order of Canada. He also holds an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland. He has written in many genres, and has been published internationally.

Illustrator Cynthia Colosimo

How Dog Became A Friend is illustrated by Cynthia Colosimo. She lived in Labrador for sixteen years and is familiar with the aboriginal heritage of the region. Her illustrations for this tale are superbly done. Each picture is a work of art in itself. They are beautifully drawn in fine detail, with soft, warm earth tones.

Connection to School and Library Curriculums

How Dog Became A Friend has several features that would support different areas of school and library curriculums:

Language Arts:

• This story would be a great example of a tale to accompany a thematic unit on legends and tales, especially those pertaining to aboriginal cultures.
• The tale would also make a good read aloud story for younger students who are completing a unit on "pets" or "dogs."

Social Studies:

• This picture book would be a good resource to support a unit focused on the aboriginal history of the Maritime Archaic area, in particular Labrador. It gives descriptions of how the people lived, which are supported by the details in the illustrations.
• It would also be a good support for a unit studying the natural history of Labrador. It makes mention of several of the plants and animals that are found in the Labrador wilderness.

Art:

• The finely crafted illustrations provide good examples of drawing people and animals, especially the skill of drawing hair, fur and faces.

Note: Any use of this book in the classroom must comply with the copyright.

How Dog Became A Friend is a wonderful piece of cultural literature. Between the storytelling and the illustrations, it would delight both children and adults alike. It would make a terrific addition to any collection of aboriginal tales.

Title: How Dog Became A Friend

Author: Paul O’Neill

Publisher: Pennywell Books (an imprint of Flanker Press Limited), 29 pages, $11.95 CAD

ISBN-10: 1-894463-93-5

ISBN-13: 978-1-894463-93-5

For other picture book reviews of books from Newfoundland publishers see Book Review of Emma’s Treasure by Gerald Mercer, A Book Review of Freddy’s Day at the Races and Partridgeberry, Redberry, Lingonberry, Too.

The copyright of the article How Dog Became A Friend by Paul O'Neill in Children’s Books is owned by Stella Walsh. Permission to republish How Dog Became A Friend by Paul O'Neill in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Book Cover How Dog Became A Friend

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