Letters to a Dog

By: Piers Torday, Alice McKinley

Narrated by: Ammar Duffus

Letters from a longed-for pet provide comfort and entertainment for a lonely boy in a heartfelt and gently humorous tale from bestselling author Piers Torday.

Jamie is in hospital waiting for a life-changing operation. And to make a difficult time even harder, he’s fallen out with his dad and refuses to speak to him when he comes to visit.

To keep his spirits up, nurse Shirley suggests he writes a letter to the dog he desperately wants to adopt from the local dog home. But imagine his surprise when Dog writes back!

Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.

©2025 Piers Torday (P)2025 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"This funny, heartbreaking and uplifting short novel brims with the emotional intelligence we expect from a master storyteller and animal lover." – The New Statesman

"A doggy delight: adorable, heart-warming and very funny indeed." — Abi Elphinstone

"I loved this – a paw-fect blend of furry, heartfelt magic!" — Ross Welford

"A touching story brimming with humour and heart." — Lisa Thompson

"A gorgeous story about the bravery of one young boy and the power of one mighty dog. Filled with humour and heart, this is a perfect tale (tail?) about how the smallest things can mean the most. And how you should never play monopoly with a hamster." — Katya Balen

"So sweet, so sad, so funny… this little book has a massive emotional punch. It deals with such moving and important issues in a way that is light and deft. Torday captures the messy reality of grief with humour and warmth. Absolutely lovely." — Anthony McGowan

"Torday's first title for Barrington Stoke is a moving, perfectly crafted story about a boy who, while in hospital, exchanges letters with the dog he wants to adopt." – The Bookseller

"Written entirely as a series of letters exchanged between Jamie and the dog, this funny, moving tale sensitively explores the complexities of grief. It also demonstrates the importance of good communication when working through difficult emotions." — BookTrust, Book of the Day

"A moving and heartwarming story, simply told, that doesn’t shy away from difficult themes of grief and anger … this would be ideal for any child experiencing loss, or indeed any parent or adult looking for a way to explore a difficult subject. Piers Torday is an award-winning children’s author, and he tells Jamie’s story with empathy and compassion for all concerned." — Children's Books Ireland

"Youngsters will be lapping up this moving, funny and utterly enchanting story – about a lonely little boy who longs for pet dog … a little book with BIG messages." – Lancashire Post