My name is Jemima by Olivia Muscat and Allison Colpoys

Jemima, a beautiful yellow Labrador loves all the things other dogs love: playing with her toys, catching a ball, sleeping, getting cuddles, and eating, especially eating. But she also has another aspect to her life, she is a fully qualifies guide dog, trained to keep her handler safe. Jemima and her handler graduated together, Jemima wearing her harness, a sign for others that she is working. When working, Jemima can veer herhandler away from obstacles, find bus stops, find road crossings, and be aware that sometimes when her hander gets confused, Jemima is there to keep her safe. Jemima is her eyes. Sometimes Jemima gets confused, and then her handler can help to find their way. Each helps the other, they are a team.

They go to the beach or the park, art gallery, shops, the footy and the library. On special occasions they fly to another city, but most days they are at the office, Jemima lying at her handler’s feet. Jemima explains that when they travel by train, people want to give her a pat or cuddle, and this distracts her for her main job, keeping her handler safe. And some people give her food, but as this is not the right food for her, it can cause stomach aches which means she must stay home when her handler goes to work, and so is not there to keep her safe. Even people talking to her when she is working, means she is not paying attention to what her handler is doing. Jemima tells her audience that she is very happy to have people admire her from afar, but to leave it at that, when she is working.

This delightful story told from Jemima’s point to view will be loved by all readers. In a gentle way we are told what a guide dog is for, how she operates keeping her handler safe. It tells us about distracting the dog, or patting it or giving it food and the problems associated with this intervention. Jemima tells us to notice when she has her harness on as this means she is working, a time not to feed, pat or cuddle. Children will learn how to treat the dog if they see one in their community.

The delightful illustrations are humorous and involving, as they show a happy Jemima with her training, keeping her handler safe. The pictures show what might happen when Jemima is distracted, and in a funny way, underline the importance of the dog being allowed to work for her handler.

Themes: Guide dogs, Dogs, Blindness, Eyes, Humour.

Fran Knight