#365PictureBooks 34. Snowy the Doganaut by Diego Albuquerque, illustrated by Felipe Vellozo, translated by Peter Dowling

Albuquerque, D. (2014). Snowy the Doganaut. Auckland, New Zealand: Libro International.

ISBN: 9781877514623
Pages: 32
Age Level: Middle Childhood 7-12
Genre: Picture Storybook
Rating: 4 stars

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Snowy is a dog with a difference - a doganaut who comes to Earth in a UFO!  He has ears where his eyes should be, eyes in the back of his head, and a tail on the side of his body. 

A young boy was out walking one night, when a UFO appeared and a white dog was left behind.  Well, he was kind of a dog!  When everyone kept pointing and asking why Snowy was different the boy decides to take him to the vet to me made 'normal'.  But what happens when the scientists and NASA get involved?  And what happens when the vet has to travel to Pluto to try and help out Snowy?

Originally published in 1982 with the title Branquinho, O Dognauta, the 2014 Libro International edition is the first time this Brazilian classic has been translated into English.  Diego Albuquerque made the Guinness Book of World Records as Brazil's youngest author.  He was just 7 years old when he wrote and published this book!  32 years later it has been republished in English for us to enjoy as well.

Vellozo's illustrations are done using blue and white tones and are very simplistic.  Using these tones makes the illustrations more 'spacey' and works perfectly with the story.




What an amazing story.  It is a great exemplar to share with students to promote story writing, and it just goes to show ... you don't have to be an adult to get a book published.

I got my copy of Snowy the Doganaut from the Taradale Primary School library where I work. 

You can find a copy at Napier Libraries.