Heroes: Incredible True Stories of Courageous Animals

This companion to Survivors tells the stories of 33 animals who served alongside humans in wartime. Long introduces dogs such as Tipperary Beauty, a terrier who rescued pets during the London Blitz, and Ricky, a Welsh collie sheepdog who cleared minefields. Noncanine subjects include Sergeant Reckless, a Mongolian racehorse who helped U.S. Marines during the Korean War; Simon, a ship cat who prevented rats from eating sailors’ food during the Chinese Civil War; and Voytek, a bear taken in by the Polish Army corps who transported artillery shells and became fond of beer and cigarettes. Hyndman’s matte, earth-toned illustrations imagine the animals leaping across smoky battlefields, navigating cities of rubble, and, in the case of carrier pigeons, careening across the sky with lifesaving messages. Readers will be heartened to learn of the accolades many of the animals received following their service, and that several enjoyed retirements as pets. Ages 9–11. (Nov.)