A faithful little dog must survive on his own in the wild in this captivating tale of loss and reunion. Abba Jacob is a monk who lives on a faraway island with his loyal rat terrier, Snook. Every day Snook keeps Abba Jacob company as he prays or works, tending the gardens or fixing the plumbing of the little hermitage he calls home. But when the two are separated by a ferocious storm, suddenly Snook must learn to fend for himself in the wild. Will he ever again hear the loving voice that he waits for? Simply and lyrically told by award-winning poet Marilyn Nelson and exquisitely illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering with wit, warmth and a clear affection for the natural world, this is a moving, evocative tale of friendship lost and re-found against all odds.

 

There are 48 pages in this book. This is a picture book. A picture book uses pictures and text to tell the story. The number of words varies from zero ('wordless') to around 1k over 32 pages. Picture books are typically aimed at young readers (age 3-6) but can also be aimed at older children (7+). This book was published 2011 by Walker Books Ltd .

Timothy Basil Ering says that the story of Frog Belly Rat Bone was inspired by a visit to the botanical gardens in Pasadena, California. Timothy's work has appeared in books, magazines, theatre sets and fine art galleries, though this is his first picture book. He lives in Massachusetts, USA. Marilyn Nelson is a professor of English at the University of Connecticut and lives in Storrs, CT.