I generally hate clichés like kids of all ages, but it just really suits this book. I first discovered Albert Payson Terhune and Lad in seventh grade, much to the chagrin of our school librarian. She had to eventually temporarily ban me from checking the book out any further so that other kids could read it. In those days I did not realize I was reading about a long dead author and the most famous of his dogs, nor did I realize that the stories actually were taking place in the early part of the 20th century.

None of that mattered to me then (or now for the matter). I was drawn into the world of Lad and Terhune every time I opened those pages. Eventually, I managed to read most of his works and came to truly admire Terhunes writing, even though I have since read that he considered himself to be a hack.

Its now many years later, and there is still magic in these books for me. I have several of the books waiting for the day my very young daughters (a two year old and a four year old) are ready to read books that dont have pictures on every page. In fact, Ive got a backlog of books I want to share with them, but Im willing to bet we start with Lad.

If your children have any interest in animals in general or dogs in particular, you must get this book, and all of Terhunes other works if you can find them, for your children. Sure, the language may be a lttile strange at times, but your child will still love this book all the same.