Grubson Pug's Christmas Voyage


Children - Preteen
120 Pages
Reviewed on 06/29/2019
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

Author Biography

A former English teacher and Creative Writing tutor, Jane lives in landlocked Oxfordshire. She often runs away to Pembrokeshire where she spent many summers as a child and where she now writes. The castles, old harbour towns, hidden beaches and remote islands remain magical to her.
Those who know Tenby may recognise thinly-disguised elements of St Benfro and Monastery island in her books GRUBSON PUG'S CHRISTMAS VOYAGE and the sequel BANZAI'S UNEXPECTED VOYAGE.

Jane is now working on a novel set in Venice ...

    Book Review

Reviewed by Kris Moger for Readers' Favorite

Grubson Pug’s Christmas Voyage by Jane-Anne Hodgson is a fun adventure about a seafaring dog and his family. After his four pups share what they want for Christmas, Grubson decides to fulfill their wishes, daring to make a sea voyage at one of the most dangerous times of the year. With the help of his trusty and hearty crew, he must sail to three different countries, pick up the presents, and make it back home for Christmas before the worst of the winter weather sets in. Will he make it back and be a Christmas hero or lose everything, including his own ship and life?

The wonderful story of Grubson Pug’s Christmas Voyage is written by Jane-Anne Hodgson and illustrated by Sammy Jim. This is a terrific tale of a father’s big heart as he tries so hard to fulfill the wishes of his children, even risking his own life to please them. Along the way, he learns that there is more to helping them than just presents, and they learn a few lessons too. This is a fun read with some creative characters who are entertaining and lively. I particularly loved the cat Banzai, who dares to arm-wrestle even the biggest and toughest dogs. Adding to this magical story are wonderful sketches that bring visual life to Grubson’s journey. There is plenty of action to capture any child’s attention too. Grubson Pug’s Christmas Voyage is a great children’s book that could easily become a Christmas favorite for many families.

K.C. Finn

Grubson Pug’s Christmas Voyage is an illustrated work of fiction for children aged six to ten years and was penned by author Jane-Anne Hodgson with line drawing art by Sammy Jim/Sam Hodgson. Designed for both parents and children to read and enjoy together, the central plot focuses on sea captain Grubson Pug, who will sail to any shore and go to any lengths to make Christmas perfect for his children. We see both Grubson’s adventures and those of his youngest son back at home in this Eurocentric sailing journey which features many fantastical characters and perilous situations for the crew to overcome to get back in time for Christmas Day.

This is a Christmas themed tale which goes beyond the traditional story, taking us off on a high seas adventure that has just as much thrill and excitement to it even outside of the holiday season. The drawings by Sam Hodgson bring the delightful characters to life, from the gruff Grubson and his band of scurvy seadogs to the enigmatic Banzai, the Siamese powerhouse cat. The journey too contains good cultural value as it explores the coastline of Europe, and there are plenty of little in-jokes woven into the tale for adults who are reading along and supporting their children. There’s also a really heartfelt message at the end that is built up very well and is sure to leave all readers with warm, fuzzy feelings. Overall, author Jane-Anne Hodgson has a flair for literary magic, and it’s evident on every page of Grubson Pug’s Christmas Voyage.

Rabia Tanveer

In Grubson Pug's Christmas Voyage by Jane-Anne Hodgson, Grubson is a sea-dog; he has his own ship and he is its captain. He is also a family dog, one who has kids that want some very unique Christmas gifts from their father. Since Grubson is a good father, he gets on his ship and travels across Europe to find the best gifts for his four children. Joining him on his journey are his crew, Marjorie the parrot and Banzai the Siamese cat. This is his story as he shoulders some danger and tries to make Christmas a great time for his children. There is a fierce storm brewing and he has to work fast to get home before Christmas Eve. Will he be able to get back home to his kids on time? Will he spend Christmas with his children?

Entertaining and amusing, this is a story that many preteens, children above 5 and parents will enjoy. I am 26 and I loved reading this novel. The illustrations are beautiful; they are detailed and bring the narrative to life. The narrative itself is very powerful; the author has a certain “voice” that shines through her words. She makes sure that you can feel her presence while reading the novel, which makes it even more entertaining. I love Grubson, he is amazing and isn’t very shy. He is a character that will be loved by many and adored by all. The flow of the story is perfect for bedtime reading and I’m sure that children will be asking their parents to reread this again and again. Simply fantastic!

Louanne Piccolo

What’s a father Pug dog to do when his four children ask him for the one thing that would make them the happiest pugs in the world? Move heaven and earth to give it to them, of course! Grubson Pug’s Christmas Voyage by Jane-Anne Hodgson is an action-packed, plot-driven children’s book illustrated by Sam Hodgson. Although intended for children, adults will also get a kick out of Grubson Pug’s epic journey by sea to hunt down and buy the Christmas gifts his children have demanded of him. As he travels to various locations around Europe, he begins to understand that, although he can buy objects for his children, he can’t give them what they need. Each new destination teaches him a valuable lesson he must pass on to his children to help them grow and achieve their goals.

Grubson Pug’s Christmas Voyage is cleverly written and heartwarming. A charming story with unpretentious protagonists upholding old-fashioned values – so simple, but not without depth. Both funny and scary at times, in the nicest possible way for younger readers, Grubson Pug’s Christmas Voyage teaches children that hard work and a positive attitude pay off in the end. Grubson Pug and his youngest son Henri make for a courageous duo who face challenges with determination, and who serve as a believable moral backdrop to the rest of Grubson’s family. Sam Hodgson’s illustrations are delicate, detailed and offer perfect visual support throughout. Jane-Anne Hodgson has found the formula for creating irresistible fiction for young readers, drawing them in and compelling them to read right through to the end.