Togo and Balto: The Dogs Who Saved a Town

by Jodie Parachini, Keiron Ward (Illustrator), Jason Dewhirst (Illustrator)

Overview

Two dogs recount the relay race that brought life-saving medicine to children in Alaska.

It was 1925 and the world was in a diptheria pandemic. The town of Nome, Alaska, needed the serum to save its children but there was only one way to get there: dog sled. Balto and Togo, two Siberian huskies, were part of the relay race that pushed through below-freezing temperatures and a blizzard to bring the serum to Nome.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807503829
Publisher:	Whitman, Albert & Company
Publication date:	04/01/2022
Series:	Animalographies
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)
Lexile:	AD1020L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Jodie Parachini is an American/British author and editor who currently lives in Hertfordshire, England. Jodie has written fifteen children’s books, including Listening to the Stars, HeroRat!, and Flicker Finds Her Glow. In addition to earning multiple starred reviews for her work, Jodie has been named a finalist in the PBParty competition, the Macmillan Write Now Prize, and the OhZoe Rising Talent Award.

Keiron Ward has worked as a children’s illustrator for over twenty years, combining his love of fantastical and imaginative stories with his love of drawing. He lives in Wales.

Editorial Reviews

"A fun series that kids will enjoy."—Booklist

"The thrilling story, nearly 100 years old, should strike a chord in today's readers as memories of the COVID-19 vaccine are still fresh."—School Library Journal

From the Publisher

05/01/2022

Gr 1–3—The latest offering from "Animalographies" tells the story of Togo the sled dog. Togo was a mischievous puppy who grew to become the strong, smart lead in a team of sled dogs who transported various materials across Alaska during the early 1900s. However, Togo's most important delivery was the serum to save people from diphtheria in 1925. The 20 teams of 150 dogs had to run 674 treacherous miles in less than a week, before the serum expired, and Togo led the first leg of the relay. The informational picture book is told from Togo's perspective, in paragraph form with plenty of exclamation points, and includes little diary entries. Bright colorful illustrations fill the pages, and Togo's big blue eyes (which are humanlike and a bit peculiar) set him apart from all the other characters. The thrilling story, nearly 100 years old, should strike a chord in today's readers as memories of the COVID-19 vaccine are still fresh. While the title suggests that this is about Togo and Balto, it is undoubtedly Togo's story, with Balto a side character. Togo acknowledges that Balto received more attention for finishing the journey, but it is finally his turn to shine. Although back matter shares dog sled commands and why Siberian huskies were used, there are no resources listed, limiting this book's usefulness for reports. VERDICT Purchase where "Animalographies" are in demand.—Elissa Cooper

School Library Journal

2022-02-09
The true story of two dogs who were part of a mission to bring lifesaving serum to a remote Alaskan town.

In January 1925, the town of Nome, Alaska, was hit by diphtheria, a deadly disease. The nearest source of serum was 674 miles away and only accessible by dog sled. Thanks to hardworking dog teams, a trip that would normally take 25 days only took six. Togo, the 12-year-old Siberian husky and pack leader who ran the longest leg of the journey, tells his story as well as that of 6-year-old sled dog Balto, who famously led the final sled team into Nome. In providing a brief history of sled dogs, Parachini notes that they were originally used to draw sleds that transported mail and travelers and that conveyed miners to Alaska’s gold fields. She also mentions that “for many years Alaska Natives such as the Athabascans, Inuit, and Yuit used dogs as pack animals to carry heavy loads,” but aside from this, Indigenous people are erased from the narrative. The digitally rendered illustrations depict a predominantly White community and center Togo’s owner, Leonhard Seppala, a White Norwegian immigrant. Brief backmatter includes dog sled commands and a note detailing the qualities that make huskies good sled dogs. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

An engaging hero’s journey but one that’s light on meaningful details and context. (Informational picture book. 4-10)

Kirkus Reviews