Named to best of the year lists by BooklistPublishers Weekly, and the Huffington Post, this acclaimed book beautifully depicts the art of finding a balance between imagination and reality.

Nino doesn’t have a dog, but he likes to imagine that he does. His imaginary dog chases squirrels and plays in the lake with him. His imaginary dog licks the tears off Nino’s face and helps Nino feel less lonely while his dad is traveling. But when Nino gets a real dog, it’s not quite what he expected. As he spends more time with his dog, though, Nino learns how to be content with what he has, but that doesn’t stop him from continuing to dream….

NINO HAD A DOG THAT HE DIDN’T HAVE.

YES, HE HAD THAT DOG.
EVEN THOUGH HE DIDN’T HAVE IT.

WHEN NINO WENT TO THE WOODS, THE DOG THAT HE DIDN’T HAVE
DID EVERYTHING THE SQUIRRELS DID

WHEN NINO WENT TO THE LAKE, THE DOG THAT HE DIDN’T HAVE
DOVE STRAIGHT INTO THE DEEP WATER.

WHEN NINO WENT TO
HIS GREAT-GRANDMA’S, THE DOG THAT HE DIDN’T HAVE DARED TO JUMP ON HER LAP.


The Dog that Nino Didn’t Have

Written by Edward van de Vendel
Illustrated by Anton Van Hertbruggen
Translated by Laura Watkinson

Ages 4 to 8

PAPERBACK; Releases: 2/7/2023

ISBN: 978-0-8028-5607-4

Order this book from:

ChristianBook.com | IndieBound | Amazon

A hopeful look at the power of imagination in the face of loneliness and disappointment.