Love: The Mastiff (Love #5) by Frederic Brremaud and Federeico Bertolucci

What worked:

This is a picture book without words, but it’s more appropriate for middle-grade readers. The suggested reading level on Amazon is 10-14 years old. The dog’s owner is killed in the Australian Outback, and the mastiff is forced to find its own way home. Despite the lack of words, readers will find themselves mentally narrating a story of survival. The mastiff finds itself lost and fighting against constant dangers lurking in the wild.

The illustrations are amazingly able to develop a personality for the mastiff without the use of descriptive words. It's loyal and brave, as it faces a pack of wild dogs called dingoes that attack its owner. Later, the mastiff displays a sense of righteousness when it realizes other animals might be unable to defend themselves against predators. Animals in nature are either searching for food or trying to not be eaten by larger beasts, and this book constantly drives that point home. The mastiff displays comradery and appreciation when other creatures offer it assistance.

The authors use colorful pictures to represent the unusual and wondrous wildlife found in Australia. A platypus tends to its eggs, while adult kangaroos protect their joeys. Birds of prey search for food from the skies, while deadly snakes slither among the bushes and grass. Wombats, koalas, and emus find their lives in peril and are forced to defend themselves. The illustrations don’t always omit the bloodshed of nature, as some animals aren’t able to escape the violence. This is truly a graphic novel.

What didn’t work as well:

I miss words. However, it’s surprising how effectively the authors depict a story and characters using only pictures. Readers can grasp the conflicts, challenges, and complications faced by the mastiff, and they should be able to make connections with the dog. It’s a rough adventure.

The Final Verdict:

Pictures tell the story. This book is much more than I expected, as the authors did a phenomenal job of composing an exciting adventure with illustrations. The graphic depictions of life in the wild make it more appropriate for older readers, but I recommend you give it a shot.