Review: It's Take Your Dog To Work Day!

​Dogs are often called “man’s best friend,” but I would argue they can be man’s, woman’s, child’s, or even a fox’s best friend. Brian Lies has created a beautiful book about the bond between two best friends—a fox who brought his dog to work with him every day.

​TITLE: THE ROUGH PATCH
AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Brian Lies
PUBLISHER: Green Willow Books/2018
OPENING LINES:
Evan and his dog did everything together. 
They played games and enjoyed sweet treats.
They shared music and adventure.
They were together all through the day, and through all the seasons.
But what they loved the most was working in Evan’s magnificent garden.

This was a tough read, but so worth it. Brian Lies has created a touching story about the bond between best friends, and how, after a great loss, one can work through grief and recover. Lies’ artwork in acrylics, oils, and colored pencils, beautifully capture a world of sunshine, fluffy clouds, and meticulously-tended garden—a metaphor for the happy life of Evan and his dog. But when “the unthinkable happen[s]” Evan, reacts to his loss by destroying his garden and letting spiky and prickly weeds grow. What was once a place of beauty becomes a dark and lonely one. But, life finds a way, even in the darkest of times. Through his garden, Evan finds hope and purpose and a way to heal and move on. I can’t recommend this book enough (just be sure to have a few tissues nearby). Well done, Brian Lies!
 
Read this review on Goodreads or Amazon.