Picture Book Review Herbert by Robyn Belton

Well known as a fabulous award winning illustrator, Robyn Belton has now written her first book, Herbert, The Brave Sea Dog. Last week Lianza announced her the winner of The Russell Clark Award for her contribution to illustrated children's books.
Herbert is based on a true event that occured almost 20 years ago. Tim was a 12 year old boy living in Nelson with his family at the time. Heading to the Marlborough Sounds, Herbert accompanied Tim's Dad on a boat while Tim and his mother travelled by car to their holiday cottage. During bad weather through the French Pass, Herbert went missing. The story tells of his lonely struggle to survive the next 30 hours in the water and of Tim's anguish waiting to find his much loved dog. His undying conviction that Tim was still alive gives us much hope and the lovely ending touches us all.
The end pages are full of factual information and the illustrations support the text beautifully although they stand alone as well. There was a double page spread of Herbert in the water with a dolphin. The text did not suggest anything but the children decided that the dolphin would have helped Tim to survive his long ordeal. I have read this book to each of my classes accompanied with a video clip from Close Up last week when Robyn was interviewed after her success. The children werre fascinated to see Tim grown up as a 31 year old now and to hear Robyn speak of her writing.
A delightful picture book enjoyed as much by my Year 6 children as my Year 1 class.
Cathy M