Barney the Boat Dog: Very Brave Dog
Publisher: Usborne
Barney the Jack Russell lives on a narrowboat with his recently bereaved owner Jim. He loves cruising the canals and rivers, but he hates tunnels. One day he mistakenly gets left behind on land when Jim sets off into the tunnel, and he has to devise a way of being reunited with him as soon as possible, which involves being very brave.
Newbery has written two adventures featuring Barney, and this one shows us that not only is he loyal and loving, but enterprising and courageous as well. Young readers will empathise with Barney's plight, and gain reassurance that everything turns out well, even if we are scared when we get lost or have to face something that frightens us.