Media reviews
"Gill keeps to the Alaskan theme of several of her previous picture books as she tells the stories of 19 dogs with ties to the 49th state. Some are loyal companions and protectors, while others are trained service and rescue dogs; historical events and figures are woven into the short narratives. While exploring Glacier Bay, John Muir and his crew were accompanied by an eager and adventure-loving dog named Stickeen (after the Stickeen tribe); another dog, King David, was named the National Dog Hero of the Year for rescuing a six-year-old who became lost in the snow in 1986. James’s handsome artwork captures the individuality of each dog as Gill describes the animals and their contributions to Alaskan history in crisp, clean prose."
—Publishers Weekly
"Nineteen famous dogs from Alaska are introduced through short profiles in this illustrated look at some courageous canines. The most well-known dogs profiled are Balto and Togo, both leaders of dog-sled teams. The two dogs participated in the famous rescue operation in 1925 that brought serum from Anchorage to Nome to treat a diphtheria outbreak. Tramp and Red were a pair of sled dogs in the 1950s who protected their owners from an attacking bear. Other profiled dogs of the past include a bull terrier that was a pet of the entire town of Juneau and a dog that traveled with the naturalist John Muir in 1880. Modern canine profiles include several exemplary sled dogs and two heroic German shepherds. ...Attractive, full-page illustrations of the dogs are the book’s best feature, with several of the canines running or leaping through the air in rescue mode."
—Kirkus Reviews
"Gill, a past Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race participant and the author of best-selling children's books about Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, introduces young children to heroic tales of 19 courageous Alaska canines. Accompanied by James' captivating illustrations, the stories of how dogs in Alaska have accomplished feats such as warding off bears and finding lost children will thrill young readers."
—Alaska Airlines Magazine
"Dogs are an integral part of life in much of Alaska, and there are many stories about exceptional canines who merit a place in the state's history. This book introduces readers to 19 of these dogs, some alone and some combined with each other because of a shared history. While many were sled dogs, also honored are dogs who saved lives, welcomed visitors, and protect the environment. A beautiful color illustration faces a page of information, briefly introducing the dogs and the accomplishments for which they are known. The writing is crisp and interesting. This is sure to be a hit with dog lovers."
—Puget Sound Council for the Review of Children's Media
"Alaska's Dog Heroes: True Stories of Remarkable Canines by Shelley Gill is a children's book that dog lovers will absolutely adore. There are nineteen dogs depicted in this book complete with a short write-up and beautiful illustration for each dog. Each write-up is captivating to a dog lover, such as the dog who delivers medicine or another dog who saved his family by leading a rescue team to his home which was on fire. There is even a police dog that saved a young boy. All of the stories that Gill shares are heroic in their own right and truly illustrate the loyalty and bravery of man's best friend."
—Confessions of a Book Addict
"Since dogs are such an important part of life in Alaska, a book about some famous dogs from that state is sure to be an interesting one. The stories of nineteen dogs that did amazing, extraordinary, or simply interesting things are included... Author Shelly Gill was one of the first women to complete the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, so she has the credentials to write this book. The icing on the cake, though, is the beautiful, life-like illustrations by Robin James."
—San Francisco Book Review
"Dogs really are a person’s best friend in Alaska. These true canine stories from the last frontier describe remarkable acts of intelligence, stamina, loyalty, and heroism by Balto, Togo, Tekla, Stickeen, and more of Alaska’s famous dogs. From traversing mountains in winter with deliveries of life-saving medicine to fighting off bears and finding lost children, each beautifully illustrated and exciting story comes from the pages of Alaska’s history. Dog lovers, Alaska tourists, fans of the Iditarod Dogsled Race, school teachers, and librarians will enjoy these true stories of Alaska’s canine heroes."
—Creative Child
