A DOG NAMED CHRISTMAS

Todd may be challenged intellectually, but his emotional abilities shine. When the special young man hears about a local shelter's program to place dogs with local families during Christmas week, he persuades his father, long resistant to getting a dog at all, to participate in the temporary adoption effort. Mark Bramhall captures the exuberance of Todd's love for family and animals, blending it perfectly with the youth's speech impediment in a way that conveys respect and reality. Bramhall also tunes in to Todd's father's pervasive sadness, which has never left him since his tour in Vietnam, during which his own beloved dog died waiting for him to come home. While there are a few tears during this production, there are more smiles of understanding and love, making it a perfect holiday audiobook. R.L.L. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2008]