Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Magic dog changes lives in heart-filled pandemic fantasy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
ELF DOG AND OWL HEAD opens as the royal elven hunt of the People Under the Mountain and their jewel-collared dogs breaks through to the human world in pursuit of a wily blue wyrm (a dragon-like creature) that has fled there and escaped (though not before ensuring the safety of her children). Distracted by the enticing sights, sounds, and smells of a gas station, a young dog with a jeweled collar lingers too long and finds herself stranded far from home. Meanwhile, human boy Clay, stuck at home with his parents and sisters due to a pandemic, seeks peace and quiet in the woods -- where the old blue lizard is hiding out and thinks he'd be a great snack. Fortunately, the young dog is having none of it. Suddenly, Clay's life is full of interesting possibilities, as his new friend takes him to places he didn't know existed -- like a village of old-fashioned people with the heads of owls, who aren't happy to see him. Except for Amos, a boy his age, who's determined to be friends. Adventures and danger ensue.
Is It Any Good?
Worlds collide, paths cross unexpectedly, and trouble soon follows in this heart-filled, funny, imaginative tale of a magic dog, a boy from a secret village, and the human boy they both befriend. Young Clay is stuck at home in quarantine with his family during a pandemic, so when Elf Dog and Owl Head come into his life, his world is changed forever, much for the better. Elphinore's, too, as the royal elven dog examines her new digs.
"Anxious, he watched the dog stand proudly on their rug, looking from one bed to another, looking from one bed to another. It seemed almost as if she was used to something fancier. She was a magic dog -- maybe she was used to a big mansion? Clay felt like he might disappoint her.
"But the elf-hound could not believe her luck. Truly, these humans understood her importance. They did not put her in a stone kennel with other dogs. No, for the first time in her life she was allowed to sleep near people. To sleep with the pack of persons!"
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about stories like Elf Dog and Owl Head that, directly or indirectly, deal with the world's recent experience of living through COVID-19. Does this story resonate with your own experiences in that time, or was it completely different for you?
A lot of communities, like the owl-headed people here, aren't especially interested in interacting with anyone outside and would prefer to be left alone -- especially since all their experiences with outsiders are bad. Do you know any people like this? Do you think it makes sense for them to feel this way?
Do you have a dog? Are there things you like to do together?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Junyi Wu
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Animals , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Empathy , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Candlewick Press
- Publication date : April 20, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 240
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Awards : ALA Best and Notable Books , Common Sense Selection , Newbery Medal and Honors
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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