Lucky Dog Comes Home

The story of one mailman, a few dogs, and the power to bring joy back to a grieving community--inspired by a celebrated WWII veteran. George lives a peaceful life on his family farm in Indiana until he is recruited for the US army for WWII. While George longed to go back home throughout the war, home is a very different place when he returns. His family farm has been sold and George must find a new job. Though he swore he would never wear a uniform again, George becomes a letter carrier. Then, something unexpected and miraculous happens--friendly neighborhood dogs begin following him on his daily route. As the parade of dogs quickly grows each day, so too does the joy spread in a community still healing from loss. John Spray's stepfather is the inspiration behind the character George, who was a celebrated WWII veteran and post-war letter carrier--loved by both the people and dogs in his small town, Lafayette, Indiana. Scot Ritchie illustrates with powerful depth and humor. .

Author: John Spray
Publisher: Pajama Press
Published: 11/04/2025
Pages: 32
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.05lbs
Size: 9.70h x 11.20w x 0.40d
ISBN: 9781772783414
Audience: Ages 4-8


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 08/18/2025
Kirkus Reviews 09/01/2025
Booklist 11/01/2025

About the Author
Ritchie, Scot: - Scot Ritchie is an award-winning illustrator and author with more than 75 books to his credit, including most recently Broom for Two. His books have been translated into French, Korean, Indonesian, Polish, Finnish, Arabic, and Dutch. Scot has worked with the National Film Board of Canada and has had his illustrations exhibited at the National Gallery of Canada. He lives in Vancouver, British Columbia. Spray, John: - John Spray grew up in Lafayette, Indiana and was inspired by his beloved step-father, George, to write Lucky Dog Comes Home. John emigrated to Canada in the early 1970's, making Toronto his home. He founded Mantis Investigation, which continues to be a successful PI company for nearly 50 years. Now semi-retired, John enjoys spending time with his wife and their six grandchildren. John's previous picture book, What Cats Think, illustrated by Mies van Hout received high praise from School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and Kirkus.