The Dog Snatcher is a children’s adventure by Phyllis Wheeler with illustrations by Katie O’Malley. The story follows Jake, an eleven-year-old boy, and his twin sister Ava as they embark on an unexpected adventure through space and time. One day, Jake discovers a key that looks like those used to unlock pirates' treasure chests. He doesn't think much of it until a stranger comes looking for it. Jake decides to lie and keep the key for himself, but this backfires because the stranger abducts Nicky, Jake's beloved dog, and vanishes into thin air. With the key being his only clue, Jake examines it and discovers a whole new world with endless possibilities when he twists it in the air. The race against time to find Nicky and fix his mistakes begins. Join Jake as he teams up with Ava and new friends in this exciting adventure. The Dog Snatcher is the first book in the Guardians of Time series, and it lays an excellent foundation for future installments. The story is captivating and left me wanting more. Phyllis Wheeler is a good writer who uses simple words and a casual tone, making the book easy to follow and understand. The characters are ordinary individuals with relatable struggles, and their progress throughout the story is gradual and enjoyable. Jake's guilt was a prominent theme, and it was satisfying to see him conquer his fears, apologize, and correct his mistakes. The book also teaches readers about different languages and places and has sketches that perfectly complement the plot. I enjoyed reading this book and hope to read more from this author and this series. Overall, this is great work.
