Strongheart: The World's First Movie Star Dog

K-Gr 2—Chances are that some children of today may know who Lassie or Rin Tin Tin were, but it's likely that few, if any, have heard of Strongheart, the first movie star dog of Hollywood films. Born in Germany, Strongheart, originally named Etzel, was sent to the United States to be adopted after World War I, when his police dog skills were no longer needed. Larry Trimble, a movie director and animal trainer, discovered the German Shepherd in a New York kennel and realized that Etzel possessed incredible intelligence, a great work ethic, and the ability to discern threat from benevolence. The dog proved to be a director's dream: he could project appropriate emotions, follow commands, and conduct risky stunts. His screen name became Strongheart, and he gained a worldwide following. McCully's writing flows easily. Her rich watercolor with pen-and-ink illustrations depict "Roaring Twenties" fashions perfectly and convey Strongheart's range of emotions endearingly. Children will enjoy this sweet story, and dog lovers especially will find themselves revisiting this book time and again—and falling in love with this star, just as audiences did decades ago.—Maggie Chase, Boise State University, ID