The Wizard's Dog

September 15, 2016
A tardy corrective for previous versions of the legend of the Sword in the Stone--which leave out the dog.Rescued stray Nosewise makes the thrilling discovery that the magic Asteria stone of Morgana, preteen apprentice to human packmate Merlin, allows him to talk and maybe even perform tricks well beyond "sit" and "shake." It comes none too soon, as wizard and apprentice are kidnapped by Oberon, Fae prince of the Summer court, to steal Excalibur. Collecting a castle "poop boy" named Arthur along the way and with help from Guinevere, daughter of a tavern keeper named Leodegrance, Nosewise loyally sets out to rescue his beloved family. The quest leads from this world to the Otherworld and thence to frozen Avalon for a desperate battle with Oberon, human minions, and insatiable magic-eating worms. But Excalibur, it turns out, can only be extracted by "a worthy soul who loves man and would never do him harm." There is, as you might guess, but one such who truly fits that description here. Along with his other canine virtues, though, Nosewise is generous in the aftermath: "Arthur is my carrier, and he can use it too, if he wants." The often scary Fae come in a variety of sizes and shapes; humans, and the doggy narrator, are largely white in Phillips' occasional vignettes, though Morgana appears to have somewhat darker skin. An ingenious and entirely credible (at least dog lovers will agree with this) twist on the familiar tale. (Fantasy. 10-13)

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November 1, 2016

Gr 3-6-Merlin's dog, Nosewise, can talk and do a bit of magic with the help of a special stone, instruction from Morgana, and some confidence. But magic isn't a power that should be used by everyone. When Merlin is kidnapped by the fae, it is up to Nosewise and his friend Arthur to save the day. This is an interesting retelling of The Sword in the Stone, offering readers an alternative view of a classic tale. Nosewise makes for a lovable protagonist, with his canine and human characteristics providing humorous insight. Merlin, Morgana, and even Arthur all play supporting roles and serve more as devices to drive the plot rather than characters to be fully explored. This is definitely the dog's story, and animal lovers will enjoy the antics of Nosewise and his human family. VERDICT A delightful magical fantasy, perfect for fans of fairy tales, legends, and dogs.-Elizabeth Speer, Weatherford College, TX

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2016
Grades 3-6 Legends surrounding Merlin and King Arthur are perennially of interest to children, and here Gale presents the story from the first-person viewpoint of Nosewise, Merlin's loyal dog. Nosewise believes he is equal to Morgana, Merlin's young magician-in-training; however, Merlin only sees him as a pet capable of performing dog, rather than magic, tricks. Secretly, Morgana teaches Nosewise how to use her Asteria, a stone that channels one's magical powers, and is amazed at his abilities. When Morgana's father, Lord Destrian (a magical Fae), captures Merlin and Morgana, Nosewise uses his newfound talents to follow them. Before long he meets Arthur, the Poop Boy for Lord Destrian, and together they escape the castle and face many dangers while traveling to Avalon to rescue Merlin. Gale weaves these legendary figures into an entertaining adventure full of humor and magic that middle-grade readers will love. This makes a good companion to Ralph Hardy's Argos (2016), in which Odysseus' dog narrates his master's story. Final illustrations unseen.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)