Old Fellow (Christopher Cheng, illus by Liz Anelli, Walker)
Old Fellow, written by Christopher Cheng and illustrated by Liz Anelli, is a warm, simple and engaging story of an old man and his old dog. Which one of the two is the titular ‘Old Fellow’ is never entirely clear. In fact, as the story—a meandering trip to the park—unfolds, the dog could just as easily be speaking Cheng’s carefully written text as could his owner. Each of Anelli’s playful illustrations handles perspective in a way that positions our two old fellows among the busy life of a city park. Classic picture books like Jenny Wagner’s John Brown, Rose and the Midnight Cat have proven that delightful stories about elderly people and their pets can stand the test of time and endear themselves to the hearts of readers of all ages. And Old Fellow is no different—it is a story that simply glows with warmth. The affection the two main characters have for each other radiates off the page. Gentle, heartwarming and full of the joy that comes with an old friendship, this book is for dog lovers and those who love their grandparents. Readers aged three through eight will likely find something to recognise in the charming Old Fellow.
Michael Earp has 20 years of children’s specialist bookselling experience and manages The Little Bookroom.
Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.
