The Boy and the Dog Tree

By Fiona Wood

Reviewed by Mia Macrossan

Fiona is the three time winner of the CBCA Older Reader category. Recently she has started writing for middle grade with How to Spell Catastrophe and this her latest The Boy and the Dog Tree, a marvellous, whimsical, moving study of a human-animal relationship with a big dollop of fantasy thrown in.

Moving to Melbourne is the last thing Mitch needs, other than starting at a new school that is. To make matters worse, his parents’ work trip has been extended, and the class bully has wasted no time in targeting Mitch. If only he had a dog, things would be bearable. Then one night Mitch feels called to the park near Gran’s house. Drawn to an old tree resembling a dog, Mitch is certain he can hear growling from within its trunk. Eventually, Argos emerges – a strange dog-like creature who has come to help Mitch, but only for a short while. Rather than being Mitch’s dog, Argos tells Mitch, ‘you are my boy’.

I felt really sorry for Mitch, in a new place, having to start at a new school, with his parents, with whom he gets on well,  away. He misses them. He doesn’t make friends readily, a total contrast to his sister who is the opposite, engaging and involved from day one. He has always yearned for a dog and when he somehow calls out Argos from the Dog Tree his life changes but he still doesn’t really have a dog.

Fiona has done something very clever here, brought into question the whole thing about who owns who in the boy/dog scenario and widened its scope to relate to responsibilities of anyone ‘owning’ a pet. Because Fiona is such a subtle writer we are always totally focussed on Mitch and this troubles but are aware of  issues and layers that enrich every situation. The bullying boy at school could have been just another cliche situation but the pain here is visceral and heart wrenching.

Where did Argos come from? What an amazing creation!. He is actually a bit scary he is so awesome and is definitely not someone’s pet dog.  This story is a fantasy grounded in reality, the details of life with Gran ( a splendid person in her own right, yay! for believable real grandmas), of school, of making new friends are vivid and real, while the fantasy element has that other worldly awesomeness that makes you catch your breath. The ending is perfect.

Give this book to any child who has ever wanted a dog and to every cat lover (so that they know what they are missing). Recommended for school and home libraries.

Read the StoryLinks interview with Fiona here to find out more. (to come)

Teacher’s Notes

UQP 2026

Fiona Wood