Lucy

In Cecil's (Evermore Dragon) town of Bloomville, people flock to vaudeville shows, apartment buildings have stoops, and the neighborhood butcher sports a handlebar moustache. Set over four acts, the story--which could either be considered a very long picture book or a large-format chapter book--follows the lives of three city inhabitants. There's Lucy, a small stray dog who romps through Bloomville, always on the lookout for food: "She takes a big sniff. These are questionable scraps. Very questionable. She eats them anyway." Sam, a grocery clerk, is a gifted juggler with stage fright. Eleanor, Sam's daughter, slips Lucy tidbits when she can. Cozy, repeated sequences, like Lucy's daily morning dash through the city, "Past Bertolt's Butcher Shop.... Past the diner with the questionable scraps," counterbalance the story's mysteries: How did Lucy lose the luxurious home she often remembers? Why is Sam so terrified? Cecil's stylized black-and-white oil paintings are framed in circles, focusing each scene as if through a lens. The conclusion unfolds naturally, while Cecil's understated writing and careful pacing contribute substantially to this sweetly satisfying story. Ages 5-8. (Aug.)

PreS-Gr 2--As the sun comes up in the town of Bloomville, a small dog awakens from her alley crate; a young girl hugs her father as he leaves the house, but first puts a sausage in her pocket; and the girl's father places juggling balls in his pocket as he makes his way to an unsatisfying job. How these three lives intersect is told in three acts brought to life in rounded, textured, monochromatic images placed on white pages. The composition of each page enhances the illusion of theater, focusing readers' eyes on the action, which takes place center stage (actually, center page). The homeless dog comes to be named Lucy and is befriended and adopted by the girl, Eleanor. Lucy goes on to accidentally help the girl's father gain confidence as a juggler and begin a new chapter. The action, and even a bit of each character's backstory, unfolds in a visual narrative that is accompanied by engaging though brief text. VERDICT This quiet, satisfying tale with its old-fashioned setting is sure to enthrall readers of many ages as they reexamine the detailed illustrations. Best for one-on-one and small group sharing.--Maria B. Salvadore, formerly at District of Columbia Public Library