Home Alone Harry by Jerry Rhodes and Rachael Messiter illustrated by Nicky Hill #Review
The
educational substance of the book arises from the research and teaching
of its two authors. They demonstrate that we can learn to understand
how dogs really think even though as humans we all think differently.
The registered names of the research are Amichien® Bonding and
Thunkies®.
Harry is a mischievous young dog, adored by his family, Dad
and Mum, Maisie (8) and Max (5). When the family leave him on his own he
creates chaos. Dad demands, "That bad dog must go!" Alone and sad in
bed that evening, Max asks, "Can anyone help?" How will the Thunkies
respond to his call?
This is a bright and colourful, glossy picture book, with bold illustrations and a good use of think bubbles. Even the youngest reader will respond to the plight of Harry, the pet dog who is left home alone. There are lots of opportunities to talk through feelings and it will be a good starting point to think about other points of view. Encouraging empathy and thinking skills, it would be a good addition to an adult's arsenal in encouraging mindfulness and talking through behaviour. It illustrates how by changing one's actions and thinking about an event from someone else's perspective, behaviour can change in positive ways.
Cat and Mouse say: listen to the Thunkies!
About the Creative Team
Jerry Rhodes’ life-long research and teaching is the
inspiration behind ‘Home Alone Harry’, this first book in a series for children
featuring the cartoon characters, Thunkies®. After completing his degree and
teacher training at Oxford University, Jerry’s career as a school-master was
cut short by polio. He changed course to a management career in industry,
discovered his talents for creativity, and formed his world-wide consultancy to
collaborate with international organisations. A special project with Philips
led to the discovery of ‘Thinking-Intentions’, to which he has now given the
playful name, Thunkies®. Jerry writes his books from his weather-beaten old
farmhouse in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds.
Rachael Messiter, a Dog Listener, uses the approach known as
Amichien® Bonding pioneered by Jan Fennell. Rachael has her own practice,
Talking Paws, based in Staffordshire. Previously she lived with wolves for
close on two years in Colorado, USA, to learn how packs work. She has
identified a group of issues that dog owners experience that are due to the
well-meaning but flawed behaviours of owners, rather than ‘nuisance’ dogs. How
to properly avoid and resolve such troublesome issues will be the theme of each
book in the series Thunkies® love Dogs.
Nicky Hill is an illustrator and storyteller from Winterbourne
near Bristol. Her artwork is featured throughout the Thunkies® Love Dogs books,
bringing a bright, vibrant style that captures the imagination. A great lover
of animals both wild and domestic, Nicky also illustrates and writes her own
series of books about ‘The Wotton Pack’; a group of inquisitive pooches who
spend their days and nights having many adventures. She currently lives with
her own pack of three dogs in Wotton-under-Edge, a small town in
Gloucestershire, where she also co-runs the shop called ‘The Collective’.
Thanks to the authors and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the event.
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