Snook Alone (2010)

 Snook Alone by Marilyn Nelson  (2010) is about an intelligent, loyal dog stranded on an island when his owner must flee a rapidly approaching tropical storm. Nelson is an award-winning poet, and it’s obvious that she chooses each word of this story with great care. After we learn about Snook’s daily routine in the first half of the book, we watch him adapt to his new island surroundings. A canine sense of smell reveals drinking water. But his keen hearing does not perceive his human friend’s voice in the wind and waves—until near the end, when his memory of  hearing “good dog” fills him with love.

 Timothy Basil Ering’s illustrations add vitality to the text. Snook and his friend, Abba Jacob, appear as devoted comrades. His limited palette and artistic skill effectively depict the emotional extremes of joy and loneliness. The reunion is visually thrilling. 

 The text is not easy; the illustration is fine art; Snook’s longing is intense. These three attributes make this book appropriate for the older student. Nelson and Ering explain their  collaboration at the 2010 National Book Festival.

 Snook Alone is read aloud by Marissa Cilento in two parts: Part 1 and Part 2.

My Picture Book Talk for this story is here.