"The December day in south India dawned like any other, kissed by the golden sun. Papa came back with his boat full of fish. Mama made breakfast for seven-year-old Dinakaran and his two little brothers. That day seemed like any other day, but Selvakumar knew better."

Selvakumar, the Ramakrishnan family dog, knew better because he could feel the ominous vibrations, and hear the unusual sounds coming from the ocean. Nervous and fretful, "He wanted to run, but he dared not leave his family. Sometimes humans didn't realize." And sure enough, when they finally do understand their danger, and flee before the oncoming tsunami, Dinakaran becomes confused, heading for the family house near the beach, rather than making for high ground. But Selvakumar knew better, and through his heroic actions, the young boy was saved...

Based upon a true story, Selvakumar Knew Better is a moving picture-book about the devastating 2004 tsunami, which killed more than a quarter of a million people, and displaced countless others. It is also a heart-warming tale of canine devotion, and would make an excellent introduction to this sad topic for younger readers. Virginia Kroll's narrative is fast-paced and involving, and Xiaojun Li's watercolors ably convey the emotion of the story. The two-page spread showing just Dinakaran and Selvakumar is particularly lovely. A brief afterword gives further information, and a photograph of the real Selvakumar. Highly recommended! ( )

This book is about a dog who saves a little boy during a tsunami. The story is based on a real life event. The pictures are interesting, but the story did little to engage me as a reader and I'm a dog lover. ( )