Sport – Ship Dog of the Great Lakes

Our picture book selection – Sport – Ship Dog of the Great Lakes by Pamela Cameron – is a beautiful book that tells the true story of the Great Lakes ship dog, Sport. Sport is a puppy rescued during a storm by a sailor working on a Great Lakes tender. 

THE STORY

Photo of the author, Pamela Cameron, with a stuffed dog to represent the dog, Sport.
Ms. Cameron and Sport. Photo: Pamela Cameron.

Sport is the true story of a Newfoundland-Retriever who lived on the U.S. Lighthouse Service Tender Hyacinth from 1914-1926. The book highlights some of Sport’s adventures, including helping the crew, being lost in Chicago, and a trip on a Great Lakes passenger ship. Sport was a valued companion to his crew and a recognizable mascot on Lake Michigan.

Awards

  • Historical Society of Michigan State History Award for Books: Children & Youth – 2019
  • 2020 Library of Michigan Notable Book
  • Michigan selection to the Library of Congress “Discover Great Places through Reading.

Activities and programming ideas – more coming soon!

THE AUTHOR

Picture of Pamela Cameron, author.
Pamela Cameron. Photo: Wisconsin Historical Society Press.

Pamela Cameron has been a public and school librarian in Wisconsin and Michigan. She lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  She enjoys traveling throughout the Great Lakes, not just to view historical sites and natural beauty, but also to meet and talk to residents and travelers to the Great Lakes area.

Contact Ms. Cameron at pjcameron2500@gmail.com for discussion about the programming you have in mind.

Cover of book Sport - Ship Dog of the Great Lakes
Photo courtesy the author.

THE BOOK

Sport – Ship Dog of the Great Lakes 
Wisconsin Historical Society Press, May 2019

Text copyright Pamela Cameron, author, illustrations and cover art copyright by Renee Graef, illustrator

To order single copies, visit the WHS Press, your independent bookstore or borrow from your local library.

 

About the Great Lakes