I know Eoin Colfer best for Artemis Fowl and the Supernaturalists. Artemis Fowl This story is a departure from tales of evil geniuses and creatures that you can only see when on the brink of death. Instead, we see a revisit of the classic tale of a boy and his dog, with twists.

Once there was a dog, born to a cruel breeder. His first home taught him not to bark, before abandoning him at a dump. By the time that a shelter saves the puppy and gets him actual care, he is quiet and untrusting.

A new boy named Patrick adopts the puppy, sensing a kindred soul. He and his mother have moved in with his granddad, while his dad sends in texts while traveling with his band. Patrick names the puppy Oz, believing that he is full of wonder. He and granddad realize that Oz needs a lot of care, and that music may be the key. Patrick wants to give Oz his voice back, and a home. He may need Oz more than he thinks.

I felt a lot of emotions when seeing how Oz was abused. The same goes for when Patrick receives upsetting news. Life hurts. And all we can do is do what we can to fix that, by helping others find their voice, and outlets for their pain.

Sweet, touching book about loss and trust. Some topics may be traumatic for young readers - abuse, divorce - but a good book for early readers and probably a good book for an adult or older child to read aloud,, Lovely illustrations, though sadly just in black and white.

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I absolutely loved this story. The writing was beautiful, the message was incredibly important to me and the book as a whole was extremely sweet yet not as sad as I feared.
I think this book is a great pick for kids so that they empathize and respect animals and pets, and even fall in love with them. I highly recommend it.

A sweet story about a dog and its kid owner.
Touching for the whole story as it goes from the Dog being a puppy and losing his bark because of an abusive owner, and then growing to learn it again as Patrick, the new owner teaches that not every human is like his last one!

Cute story and cute art!

Cute little book by Artemis Fowl author Eoin Colfer! Good little life lessons for children and the artwork was very cute.

I’ll be honest: I picked up The Dog Who Lost His Bark because P. J. Lynch illustrated it, and I love Lynch’s art. And it’s a cute and charming chapter book for a child. Told in third person, alternating POV between a puppy and his boy Patrick (and rarely, Patrick’s mother), the story touches on themes of animal abuse, family, trust, and love. Oz is totally endearing, and Patrick is as kind and caring a boy as you will ever come across.

The Dog Who Lost His Bark would be a lovely book to read aloud to youngsters, provided they are old enough to deal with the traumas Oz experiences in his early life. It might be especially good for a family about to adopt a pet, and for children experiencing divorce. As an adult I found Oz’s habit of putting important words in all caps a little annoying to read, and the book’s messages a trifle heavy-handed, but I would have loved the story in my early elementary-school years.

The book is illustrated throughout with pencil sketches, beautifully rendered (as I would expect from P. J. Lynch.) I missed the beauty and warmth of his color illustrations, though; the only one is on the cover.

Recommended for: early chapter book readers; reading aloud

‘The Dog who Lost his Bark', is a sweet and sad story about a boy and a dog. The Dog is the main character in this novel. When the Dog was a pup, he was mistreated and thrown in a dump. The Dog has trust issues with humans and loses his bark and only whines. A dog that loses his bark is not a happy dog.

The Dog has a new owner, a young boy named Patrick. Patrick is visiting his grandfather and his mother finally approves his request to get a dog. The Dog becomes Patrick’s pet. The rest of the story is about how Patrick teaches Dog that the world is a happy place and that he is the Dog’s friend.

In the end, Dog comes to Patrick’s rescue when something in Patrick’s life doesn’t go according to plan and Patrick loses his bark(becomes depressed). This book is a heavy read and sad when it comes to how the Dog was mistreated. The children who identify with this book would be kids who lost someone or whose parents are going through a divorce. The elders should definitely read before giving to kids because it is not all cheery but sad, with a happy ending. The book also has beautiful sketches that add to the depth of the story.

This is a book of true love and longing. Oz and Patrick need each other to make their lives complete. The feelings that come through in the pictures as well are just beautiful. This is a perfect book for those looking for a story of love and what makes our lives complete.

This is a very moving story about a dog and his boy. I found the first couple of chapters hard to read mainly because I do not like to read about animals being neglected or abused. I loved Patrick and Oz's relationship with each other, especially when they both had a lot of sadness and issues to work through.

The Dog Who Lost His Bark

by Eoin Colder

illustrated by P.J. Lynch

Oz is a sweet puppy traumatized by a bad experience with a mean family. He ends up in a dog shelter where Patrick discovers and adopts him. Patrick comes from a musical family, and music emerges as the key to socializing Oz who has remarkable pitch when he whines. He starts with “Ode to Joy,” but expands his repertoire quickly. After Patrick’s breakthrough with Oz, he decides he needs to teach him to bark.

In the background of the puppy drama, we can tell, as can Patrick, that something is wrong with his father who is supposedly in Australia playing with his band. Patrick decides that if he gets rid of Oz, his father, who is allergic to dogs, will return to be a part of the family again. Oz goes back to the pound, but Patrick is no happier and Oz is very sad. Patrick learns that his mother and father are separating, but that his dog loves him and will always be his best friend.

The Dog Who Lost His Bark is a sweet story, especially for dog lovers. It could be helpful for children whose family structure is in transition, providing opportunities for discussions of the feelings the various characters have. I would encourage parents to read this book to their child or for a child to read it independently. Sharing with a group is probably not the best choice. The issues could be a trigger for sensitive children and problematic depending on the family situations of the children in a group.

I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Candlewick Press for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4/5

Category: Children’s Fiction

Notes: This chapter book is intended for children:
Ages: 7-10
Grades: 2-5

Publication: September 10, 2019—Candlewick Press

Memorable Lines:

This boy seemed kind right now, but that was people’s CLEVER TRICK, to be happy until it was time to be ANGRY. Dog was not going to fall for that one again.

“…teach your dog to bark. Because when a dog barks at something, that dog isn’t so afraid of that thing anymore.”

“You have a friend, Patrick. You have the best friend a boy could ever have. And he loves you even when it looks like you don’t love him anymore.”

The Dog who Lost his bark by Eoin Colfer.

This book covers early trauma both for a dog and a boy. It starts with the perspective of the dog who is separated from his mother and litter and sold to a cruel family. The family abuses this dog and the dog learns not to bark for fear of repercussion from humans. On the other hand there is a boy named Patrick whose mother asks him if he would like a dog. Patrick chooses Dog and names him Oz. The story of how a friendship between a dog and a boy can heal trauma they have both suffered and are suffering through friendship, love, and caring.

The first few chapters of this book are HARD reads. The mistreatment of animals is such a tough read that I had to put it down a couple times for a breather and come back to them. Once I was past those though, I was fully immersed in this emotional book. A true must read for any pet lover about the bond that perhaps only one person can have with their pet, and their pet with them.

The illustrator does a remarkable job by adding to the story with the adorable black and white illustrations. They are so life-like and I couldn't help but to spend time looking at the illustrations.

Before I even read it, I looked at all the pictures! I love P.J. Lynch's work and this book is a beautiful addition to his body of work! The story was a common one that had all the elements of modern day life. It was an emotional book that had me crying and smiling though out. I loved it!

When you read a book, do you always need a kleenex? You may for this one if you are an animal lover! Oz has never had a good home. From the man who bred him to the horrible family that adopted him. This is where Oz learned never to bark because that meant no food. Then Patrick found Oz at the shelter and he was struggling with his own problems. Patrick didn't understand why he and his mom were staying with his grandfather and his dad was no where around. Patrick needed Oz and Oz needed Patrick . They soon become fast friends! Can they help each other through the loneliness?

A poor puppy is abused and mistreated by humans making it very hard for this dog to trust anyone, much less the little boy who has adopted him. The puppy won't even bark he is so scared and anxious about his new home and the life he has lived so far. A heartwarming story of how much of an impact a little bit of love and time can make.
#Netgalley

This book is a gem from beginning to end. Oz and Patrick will live in my heart.

Oz is a puppy who is adopted, mistreated, and abandoned. Patrick is a boy spending the summer with his Mom and his Grandad. His musician father is absent, but Patrick is sure his father will come home soon.

Oz's sadness has peaked, and the dog no longer knows how to bark. Patrick, his new human pal, is determined to help Oz bark again. Through patience, love, and music, the two bond deeply. Now Oz wants to help Patrick, who seems sad, regain his bark.

This is a beautiful story about love, music, friendship, and moving on with your life even when you don't feel ready. A highly recommended read.

I feel the subject matter might be too much for this age group. The animal abuse at the beginning is very hard to read and the way the parent's relationship is talked about is too mature. Overall, a sweet story about a dog and a boy both going through some hard times and realizing that they need each other.

A sweet tale of a boy and his dog, with some difficult issues tackled. Adult readers will recognize early on what Patrick's mother is going through, though it will take younger readers longer to piece it together. The power of music is illustrated perfectly in this story, and a wonderful way for different characters to bond.
Given the abuse Oz suffered in his early life I would recommend this for ages 10 and up, as younger children might find it too scary/upsetting. No graphic details of the abuse are given, but it's clear what is going on.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Eoin Colfer (Artemis Fowl) has written a fantastic tribute to both dogs and the power of music in The Dog Who Lost His Bark. When Patrick’s mom decides he can have a dog, Patrick is both thrilled and confused. He’s always wanted a dog, but his dad (who is “working” in Australia) is allergic. Patrick chooses Oz, a sweet-tempered dog who was mistreated by his previous owners. Eventually, Patrick helps Oz to heal through the power of music. When Patrick learns about the truth of his parents’ situation, it’s Oz’s turn to help a devastated Patrick. Like Kate DiCamillo’s Because of Winn Dixie, this book tells how a dog can change a family for the better, and how the right family can be life-changing for a dog. The illustrations—in pencil—are equally as wonderful as the story itself. The expressions on Oz’s face are so expressive, but still dog-like. I wish there had been even more illustrations. I can’t recommend this book enough.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, Candlewick Press. All opinions are my own.

The description of The Dog Who Lost His Bark by Eoin Colfer stated that it was, “A warm, uplifting story about a boy, his dog, and the healing power of music…” Perhaps it is in the end but it does have a dark beginning as Oz begins his life. Patrick also has some struggles going on in his life too. I was surprised by this but on thinking that Artemis Fowl series is the most familiar works by Eoin Colfer I really shouldn’t have been. That series has some dark shades to it too. This could bother a young or sensitive child or just go right over their head. Still be forewarned. The wonderful illustrations and cover look right for a seven year old but the story content would perhaps be better for nine years old and higher.

Otherwise it is a story that has strong bonding between two lonely souls. Much is realistic before it veers off near the end. That is a cute idea though so I wish that dogs really could do those sort of things.. The illustrations are amazing, adding so much that the stronger is richer and stronger because of them.