From Publishers Weekly
Readers encounter Seaman, the canine that accompanied the men who charted an inland route to the Pacific, in Dog of Discovery: A Newfoundland's Adventures with Lewis and Clark by Laurence Pringle, illus. by Meryl Henderson. Culled from "every incident from [their] journals involving Seaman," Pringle's narrative details the expedition from conception to close (1803-1806). Informative sidebars, maps and photographs give readers a feel for the period. Ages 8-up.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6-In 1803, a small group of men set out to explore the unmapped territories west of the United States extending all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Despite many hardships and encounters with grizzly bears, rattlesnakes, and wild rapids, the Corps of Discovery traveled more than 8000 miles and returned triumphantly in the summer of 1806. Among this group was a most unusual member-a Newfoundland dog. As a hunter, retriever, and guard dog, Seaman was a valuable member of the expedition. In this book, he serves as an unusual focus as events unfold. This is a richly detailed and historically accurate account of the expedition, told as dated entries, with clarity and descriptive language. Pringle closely follows and highlights the adventures of Seaman as they appeared in the journals of Lewis and Clark, and the loyalty and devotion he exhibited as he risked his life many times. Selections from their journals appear throughout the story, and Pringle also offers evidence, first discovered in 2000, about what happened to the animal after the expedition came to an end. Intriguing sidebars, maps, historical illustrations, and original art make this a treasure trove of information about the expedition, and the dog that was its most unusual participant.Janet Gillen, Great Neck Public Library, NYCopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 4-6. Though classified as fiction, this book is less a novel than a lightly fictionalized account of the Lewis and Clark expedition. The arrangement, dated entries, suggests a journal, but the book is written in third person. It focuses on Seaman, Meriwether Lewis' Newfoundland dog, who proved himself a worthy member of the Corps of Discovery. Still, the point of view is that of the explorers, not of the dog. The book follows the facts rather closely, although Pringle does note in the introduction that he has made some "informed guesses" about Seaman based on knowledge of the breed. The result is a very informative story, illustrated with small drawings and photos, studded with sidebars that carry related facts, and bolstered by an afterword, a dated list of entries about Seaman from expedition members' journals, lists of resources, and an index. As the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition (1803-1806) approaches, libraries may find this a good supplement to more traditional presentations of the subject. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

ANNOTATION

Introduces Seaman, the Newfoundland dog that served as hunter, retriever, and guard dog on the Lewis and Clark expedition through the Northwest Territory of the United States at the beginning of the nineteenth century.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Readers encounter Seaman, the canine that accompanied the men who charted an inland route to the Pacific, in Dog of Discovery: A Newfoundland's Adventures with Lewis and Clark by Laurence Pringle, illus. by Meryl Henderson. Culled from "every incident from [their] journals involving Seaman," Pringle's narrative details the expedition from conception to close (1803-1806). Informative sidebars, maps and photographs give readers a feel for the period.

Alan Review - Eileen Callery

This informative book recounts the 1804-1806 Lewis and Clark expedition from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean and back. The book details the expedition's planning, its adventures and discoveries, and its aftermath, focusing especially on the exploits of Seaman, Meriweather Lewis's Newfoundland dog. Seaman was a faithful companion and guard dog as well as a hunter and retriever. He underwent the same hardships as the other members of the Corps of Discovery: insect bites, fatigue, hunger, Indian and grizzly attacks, to name a few. Information is presented in a non-threatening way, utilizing sidebars, maps, historical illustrations, as well as actual journal entries from Lewis and Clark. Dog of Discovery is an ideal entry into non-fiction for younger readers. Nature and animal lovers of all ages will enjoy it, and learn a great deal about this uniquely American adventure into the Wild West. 2002, Boyd's Mill Press, 149 pp.,

School Library Journal