Illustrated by Dan Yaccarino. 32 p., HarperCollins/Cotler, 2004. Having a new baby may be easier for some children to accept if they hear it from a pet's perspective. In this story, Nigel the cat and Julia the dog have a happy life until their humans start preparing for a baby's arrival. When they realize that a baby's coming, and even when she's first born, they're apprehensive. But they find that they can make the baby, whom they call Bittle, happy when no one else can. When Bittle cries in her crib, Nigel jumps in and curls up with her, and she stops crying. The pets play with the baby at night, and bring back the toys that she throws out of her crib. As Bittle gets older, Julia and Nigel discover that they have interests in common with her. And when Bittle starts to talk, she doesn't say "mama" or "papa" - she says "woof" and "meow." With its energetic, colorful illustrations, this story shows children that even if having a new baby doesn't sound great, they can find ways to connect happily with their younger sibling. Ages 3-6
Showing posts with label dog. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dog. Show all posts
Houndsley and Catina by James Howe
Illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. 36 p., Candlewick, 2006. Friendship can help us to discover what's really important to us. In this story, Houndsley is a dog who enjoys cooking. Catina, his best friend, is a cat who wants to be a famous writer. Unfortunately, she's also a terrible writer, and while Houndsley tries to be supportive, he knows this, and worries about her. Houndsley is an excellent and creative cook. Catina encourages him to enter a cooking contest, telling him that he has to share his talent with the world. But when he does, he gets so flummoxed that he cooks terribly, and is profoundly embarrassed. When they talk about this later, Houndsley wisely remarks, "Trying to be the best made me nervous, and I did not have fun. If you do not have fun doing something you like to do, what is the point?" There's an important lesson here for Catina, who realizes that she doesn't like to write. But she wants to be good at something. Houndsley tells her that she's already a good friend, and she realizes that this is what's really important to her. With its charming illustrations in watercolor, pencil, and collage, this story offers children accessible insights into both self and relationships. Ages 5-7
The Forever Dog by Bill Cochran
Illustrated by Dan Andreasen.32 p., HarperCollins, 2007.
Mike loves his dog, Corky, dearly. Not only do they do everything together, but also, Mike can tell Corky anything. They plan to be best friends forever. But one day, Corky is at the vet when Mike comes home from school, and his mom explains that Corky is very sick. By the next morning, Corky has died. Mike and his parents bury Corky, and Mike is unbearably sad. But he's also angry with Corky for breaking his promise to be best friends forever. After a week of anger, he tells his mom about this. She reminds him of all the special times that he and Corky had together. When Mike says he'll never forget these times, Mom explains that this means that Corky had, in fact, kept his promise - he would always be with Mike in his heart and in his thoughts. She explains Mike's pain as Corky "trying to get comfortable in his new home ... in your heart.'" When Mike is able to let Corky into his heart again, he feels warm inside. With softly colored, expressive illustrations, this story empathically acknowledges children's grief shows them a way through it.
Ages 4-8
Mike loves his dog, Corky, dearly. Not only do they do everything together, but also, Mike can tell Corky anything. They plan to be best friends forever. But one day, Corky is at the vet when Mike comes home from school, and his mom explains that Corky is very sick. By the next morning, Corky has died. Mike and his parents bury Corky, and Mike is unbearably sad. But he's also angry with Corky for breaking his promise to be best friends forever. After a week of anger, he tells his mom about this. She reminds him of all the special times that he and Corky had together. When Mike says he'll never forget these times, Mom explains that this means that Corky had, in fact, kept his promise - he would always be with Mike in his heart and in his thoughts. She explains Mike's pain as Corky "trying to get comfortable in his new home ... in your heart.'" When Mike is able to let Corky into his heart again, he feels warm inside. With softly colored, expressive illustrations, this story empathically acknowledges children's grief shows them a way through it.
Ages 4-8