Rolo’s Story

Gr 1-4–Rolo is a puppy who goes by the name Mutt, which is a name given to him by his cruel owner. He runs away from this abusive person he calls a Two Leg because he thinks life as a stray would be better than suffering under his two-legged person. Alone and adrift, he aims to escape the eyes of any Two Leg. He fantasizes about being a pampered indoor dog. Mutt meets Scrap the Squirrel Snatcher, Scrap for short, who he thinks is a mongrel like him. Together, they must navigate life and stay out of the dog pound. His life takes a turn for the better when he meets Freya, a Two Leg he can trust. She names him Rolo. This story is written in the first person, imagined empathetically through the eyes of a mistreated dog. The plot speaks to the faithful bond between dogs and humans and if dogs could speak, this would be their story. Dean’s illustrations open each chapter and highlight Rolo’s unique character.