Togo

The book is beautiful. My son and I are following the Iditarod race electronically. In order to understand this race, we were looking into the original Great Serum Race and information about dog sledding. This is an eloquently told story based on facts that is fitting for an elementary student. The artwork is fantastic and helps pull you into the brutal winter conditions that is tied to the story.

When I was growing up in Seattle there was an old man that lived in our neighborhood, he was a former dogsled racer that had retired to the Ballard area. I used to stop and visit him after school. His wife would give me cookies and milk and Leonhard would tell me stories about his days in Nome. One story he always told was about the great deeds that Togo, his favorite lead dog, had done. Togo had saved Leonhard's life on numerous occaisons. Leonhard told me the story about the serum run into Nome during the diptheria epidemic. As he and Togo returned to Nome after a run of over 150 miles in one day they were met by someone coming out from Nome with Balto at the lead. Leonhard handed off the serum and rested his dogs. Then Balto got all the glory as he returned to town with the serum. Balto ran only a few miles from Nome and was considered a "scrub" freight dog by Leonhard. It broke Leonhard's heart - he always told me how much it upset him when they put a statue in Central Park to Balto, and they even decked it out in Togo's colors (ribbons). I was so thrilled to see Robert Blake's release of Togo. I immediately bought a copy and as I read it, it was as if Leonhard was telling me the story again as he had so many years ago in his living room in Ballard. Blake's extensive research is "right on" and he has done a wonderful job of retelling the story as it actually occurred. I highly recommend Togo to anyone interested in what really happened in the 1924 Serum Race. Robert Lane Ashland, OR

I read this book in my third grade class. It is an exciting story about the sled dog Togo. Togo has the heart of a real hero because he wanted more than anything to lead a dog team. This book makes you cheer for Togo. I used to think Balto was the hero of the Iditarod until I read this book. I love the beautiful pictures drawn by the author. It is a book I will keep forever.

Togo is a beautifully written book for children. The character of this special dog shines through these pages to inspire young and old. Also a great read for adults who love animal stories.

Togo is a great book for children to learn about courage and determination. A must for dog lovers! I highly recommend this book for any child.