Pick a Pup

Thanks to his grandmother, Sam gets to choose a pet dog from the shelter. "But which one will he pick?" writes Chall (One Pup's Up). "Is there a way to know the onea clue, a sign, a trick?" Eschewing the usual breed categories, Sam prefers to think in terms of character traits as he mulls over the various dogs in his neighborhood. There's the "sit-in-your-lap dog," the "hates-to-play-alone pup," the "pedigreed-Who's-Who pup" and so on. But when Sam's eyes meet those of a bouncing yellow puppy across a crowded shelter room, the boy has an epiphany that should be familiar to any dog owner: he's been chosen as well. Debut artist Henry's compositions don't break any new ground, but his watercolor and digital artwork exudes a sturdy, boyish energy, and his animal characterizations feel spot-on. Without needing much detail, he captures the infectious joy of canine physicalitywhether his subject is lolling, leaping, preening, or feverishly wagging its tailas well as the eager eyes that constitute the doggie equivalent of a grin. Ages 25. (Feb.)

Copyright 2010 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

PreS-Gr 1--Sam is going to the animal shelter to pick out a pup but he's worried he will not know which one to choose. After poring through piles of books with his grandma, he packs up a box and a blanket and they walk to the shelter, studying different types of dogs along the way. He considers "David's runs-right-up pup, /always-wakes-you-up pup, /dances-for-a-bone pup, /hates-to-play-alone pup" and "Auntie Ruth's woolly-like-a-sheep dog...." The rhythmic text is lighthearted and complements the warm, sunny watercolor and digital illustrations. At the shelter, Sam is greeted by a roomful of panting canines wagging their tails and ready to play, and not a cage in sight. When one pup jumps out of the pack right at Sam, he learns the trick in choosing a pet; "We're meant to be....this pup picked me!" Even though the process of getting a dog is simplified, this charming picture book focuses on the same things kids think about-the way dogs play and choosing the right one. A charming addition to any collection.--Kristine M. Casper, Huntington Public Library, NY