An uplifting tale of resilience, teamwork and the extraordinary bond between humans and animals.
A kelpie puppy is about to be sent to the pound and Eli knows he has to do something. After adopting the flame-chested kelpie, now named Zoom, the family falls in love, but they soon learn there's a lot involved in raising a dog. Especially a working dog, who is hard wired to round up pretty much everything ... even socks.
When Zoom goes missing on a family bushwalk, the family sets out on a frantic search. With each passing moment, anxiety mounts, but they refuse to give up hope. As night falls, their strength is tested, both physically and emotionally. Will they be able to find Zoom? What mischief could a dog get up to in the bush?
Kelpie Chaos is a terrific younger Australian novel about so many people’s favourite thing – their pet!
When Eli’s mate told him that he knew someone who has an unwanted puppy, Eli’s family was immediately interested. After all, it had been a year since their beloved dog, Schnoozle, had died, and maybe it was time for a new dog.
So off to the farm they go to collect their little ball of fluff, soon named Zoom, and he quickly becomes a much-loved pet.
This is despite Zoom constantly getting into mischief and doing all the things that come naturally to a kelpie! They are, after all, are a cattle-herding, working dog. Have they made the right decision to have a kelpie in the city? And can they give him a good home?
With lots of adventures, and themes of responsible and appropriate pet ownership, family bonding and helping out in times of need, this is a terrific novel best suited to readers aged 7 to 10 years.