Scout and the Rescue Dogs

Book Trailer and writing back story

Rescue Dog Bio Activity (pdf)

• Winner: WA Premier’s Award, 2024
• Shortlist: Children’s Book Council of Australia, 2024
• Shortlist: WA Young Readers Awards, 2024

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About

A celebration of community, adventure, kindness and, above all, dogs!

The summer holidays have finally arrived and Scout can’t wait for her adventure in the big rig with Dad. They’re on a mission to deliver donations of dog food to animal rescue shelters right across the state.

There’ll be lots of music, dad-jokes, and a brilliant plan that will make sure everyone’s got a friend for the holidays. There might even be a special four-legged friend in it for Scout.

But Scout and her dad get more than they’ve bargained for. It’s bushfire season – and it’s not just the dogs who need rescuing . . .

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Awards

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Reviews:

A delightful story crafted with tenderness and empathy. Wolfer pulls at the heartstrings and generates belly laughs while providing commentary on the realities of climate change, animal displacement and the bravery of everyday heroes. An engrossing story about growing into oneself. Judges Report: WA Premier’s Award, Children’s Book of the Year

This is a wonderful new middle grade story for all lovers of animals and adventures. I really enjoyed following along with Scout’s road trip across Victoria and picking out familiar places … The relationship between Scout and her Dad was a highlight of the story. You could feel their love for each other and their support for each other as they mourn the loss of Scout’s mother. Get this book into the hands of older primary school and younger secondary school readers – they will love it as much as I did – Forest Hill College Library

Paul’s Book Trail 2023 No. 77 ‘Scout and the Rescue Dogs’ is quite possibly my favourite junior middle grade read of the year … Paul Macdonald

This is a wonderful book about family, friends and rallying around each other in times of need. Scout and her dad are wonderful characters, and their relationship is lovely as they both deal with the loss of her mum, and learn that memories are special reminders of the great times you shared. It also has lots of wonderful stories of animals finding new homes as well as the dangers faced by everyone when bushfires rage across the land … Lamont Books

I rate this book by Dianne Wolfer 10/10 because it is based on what happens in the bushfire season in Australia. This book has changed my perspective on what bushfires are really like such as how hard it is to live in the bush. Elizabeth, 11 

… oozing with community spirit in the face of adversity, layered, authentic and endearing characters, a glimpse into the world of community outreach by truckies and gorgeous dogs needing to find their forever homes. This story seamlessly weaves together in a riveting and non-didactic way many themes including, the truckie community full of heart and spirit making deliveries during the 2019-20 Victorian bushfires, climate change, responsible pet ownership, puppy farms, a positive father daughter relationship, grief and loss. Reading Opens Doors

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Check out these real truck dogs…

Thank you, Carmen Bairstow and friends at Flexitrans Dumbleyung for these photos. Who do you love the most?

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Book Launches

Thank you to Paper Bird Bookshop, Albany Library, Paperbark Merchants, WritingWA, and photographers Jan Nicholls, Deb Fitzpatrick. Subjects include Harry and Banjo and humans; Jen Jackson, Mark Greenwood, Peter Watson, Jan Nicholls, and Holly.