Philosophical books with heartbreakingly beautiful artwork are probably the hardest for me to discuss. I really just want to say, please pick up a copy of The Dog Who Followed the Moon by James Norbury. I have copies of two of his other books on hold at the library, Big Panda and Tiny Dragon, and The Cat Who Taught Zen. My sister warned me I would cry over the book, and I did.
Amaya is a pup, lost in the woods and separated from her Mom and Dad when she’s attacked by a wolf pack. One wolf, who once led the pack, is attacked by them as well when he picks up Amaya and runs with her. Although he’s suffering physically because of attacks from wolves who were once his friends, he chooses to start a journey with Amaya. She only knows that her mother once said, “If you follow the moon, with all your heart, it would take you where you needed to be.” Although he scoffs at her, he agrees it’s one way to start a journey into the unknown.
Together Wolf and Amaya journey through woods and abandoned towns. They follow paths that are blocked, and Amaya panics when the sun comes up and she can no longer see the moon. They witness fireflies lighting up flowers, and, even as the Wolf weakens, they discuss journeys and life and poetry. When Amaya says her mother wrote poetry, and says she wouldn’t be good at it, the Wolf says, “You know, somewhere inside you is a poem that you alone can write. A unique blend of what you love what you fear and all the things that only you have experienced. That is the poem to write, young one.”
As the Wolf realizes his wound is making him weaker and weaker, he acknowledges it’s “The last time he would feel the touch of cold as a snowflake landed on his nose.” He knew it was his last. “So what was there to do but intently live eery second and embrace the path that was laid out before him.”
The Dog Who Followed the Moon is an inspiring tearjerker. I wanted to absorb every picture and every philosophical thought from the Wolf. I cried. The artwork is gorgeous in this inspirational story of loss and friendship, step-by-step courage to continue on despite the greatest losses. It’s a beautiful, moving book, and you really should check out James Norbury’s artwork on his website to see the beauty come to life. I’ll be checking out his other books.
James Norbury’s website is https://www.jamesnorbury.com/
The Dog Who Followed the Moon by James Norbury. William Morrow, 2024. 175p.
FTC Full Disclosure – Library book
