Review: Zadie Ma and the Dog Who Chased The Moon


Illustrated stories about the profound transformative powers of story telling featuring animals as deputies for emotional guidance and reinforcement are a welcome feature on my bookshelves of late. Recent reviews encompassing this premise include TheBeatryce Prophecy by Kate Di Camillo and Sophie Blackall. Zadie Ma and the Dog Who Chased the Moon by the current Australian Children’s Laureate, Gabrielle Wang is another exemplary example.

Zadie is the daughter of an immigrant Chinese Australian family in mid 50s Victoria, a period of history where time was more relaxed but attitudes were still coloured by bigoted, post war thinking and ignorance. Zadie fights hard to maintain her inconspicuous status as school and is conscious of being the dutiful daughter at home, helping Ma in their family run milk bar. But her penultimate talent lies in storytelling.

Her brother, Teddy calls it her superpower: the ability to pen a story and then have it come true. Dog-loving Zadie is desperate to have a fur-friend of her own but her dreams are constantly shut down by Ma who seems to despise dogs. There is only one option left; to write her own doggy infused destiny. And so, she does.

It’s an elegant and wrenching tale of a little lost one-eyed dog, found, mistreated and then rescued only to be caught up in a inferno of events and torn from his forever home once again. This story is the tale of Zadie’s tale about Jupiter, the dog she yearns for and writes to life.

However, this story is much more. Thanks to Wang’s illustrative prowess, Jupiter’s story is augmented by graphic novel type drawings. Comic-esque illustrations also narrate a sprinkling of others stories written by Zadie, each articulating a particular belief, feeling or frustration that Zadie may be experiencing at the time. Her stories rise unbidden from an unknown place deep within her. They are a source of comfort and refuge that fulfil magical expectations for Zadie and her young brother. Oftentimes, Zadie gifts them on to those in need of the solace of an understanding word.

Therein lies the brilliance of Wang’s work. Gabrielle understands the power of story. She knows her motivation to instil tolerance and empathy within the hearts and minds of readers is best achieved through the pages of a book; where children are allowed to roam unchecked through the lives of others. When those lives are different from their own, the enrichment of understanding takes place; an intense and far-reaching outcome.

Young middle grade aged readers may not be aware of the deeper intent initially as they enjoy Zadie’s tale of courage and friendship, but it beats within every heart-piercing relationship between Zadie, her brother, Ma, Daddy, her neighbours, her school mate, Sparrow and most strikingly with Jupiter, the dog that literally saves them all. 

 As a child of mixed cultures and subsequent casualty of intolerance, and I might add, as mad a dog lover as Wang, this story positively resonates. I wept openly in some parts, found it hard to keep the smirk off my face in others which further exemplifies the exquisite balance Wang has attained; another almost imperceptible symbol that translates to living the best life we can. Zadie Ma and the Dog Who Chased The Moon, is a special encounter for anyone who cherishes unconditional love and values the superpower that lurks within us all, to tell a story.

Title:  Zadie Ma and the Dog Who Chased the Moon
Author / Illustrator:  Gabrielle Wang
Publisher: Puffin, $16.99
Publication Date:  31 May 2022
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781761046513
For ages:  9 – 13
Type:  Middle Grade Fiction

Buy the Book:  Penguin Books, Boomerang Books

 

 

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