I, Cosmo by Carlie Sorosiak

Nosy Crow, 2019. ISBN: 9781788003872.
(Age: 8-12) Highly recommended. Cosmo is an aging golden retriever who has long accepted that his role in life is to 'doggedly' love his human family and make them happy. Keeping them happy proves to be a challenge when it becomes obvious that the marriage of Max and Emmaline's parents is disintegrating. Max and Cosmo decide on a plan that they hope will keep them together into the future, helped by recently returned veteran Uncle Reggie.
Carlie Sorosiak's beautifully written book invites the reader in from the very first page. I laughed at the antics of Cosmo and in the process learned quite a bit of dog psychology including learning about Cosmo's attitude to bacon and the evil sheepdog who lives down the street. I hurt with Max as he watches his parents arguing and tries to protect his sister Emmeline from the angst and confusion of parents doing their best to parent as their own relationship fails. Uncle Reggie provides stability and a safe place as he teaches Max and Cosmo how to dance for an upcoming competition whilst grieving for his own dog left behind in a war zone.
Children will learn about family dynamics, acceptance of tough situations, enduring love, forgiveness, and how misunderstandings can be resolved and relationships repaired, all whilst enjoying the beauty and simplicity of Sorosiak's language and her enjoyment of the simple things in life.
Such a lot of implicit learning packed into a book that both adults and children will enjoy reading.
Jan Barwick