Hannah and Sugar

PreS-Gr 1—Every day, Hannah gets off the bus, and every day Sugar the dog is there waiting for her owner, Violet P. Every day Mrs. P. asks Hannah if she would like to pet Sugar, and every day, Hannah says, "No, thank you." Hannah is afraid of dogs, so despite Sugar living up to her name and being a sweet, gentle pup, Hannah remains apprehensive. One day, Sugar goes missing and everyone begins looking for her. Sadly, she is nowhere to be found until one night Hannah hears a noise, crawls between the bushes, and finds Sugar with her leash caught in the tangled branches. Nervously, Hannah finds the courage to reach out and pet Sugar and eventually frees the dog. Sugar is reunited with her owners, and Hannah has a new friend. For children who are nervous around dogs, this selection will offer up some extra reinforcement that there is nothing to be afraid of. The story also encourages children to overcome their fears and do the right thing. The illustrations are done in pretty, soft neutrals that suit the pace and atmosphere of the story. The plot is simple, told with some repetition that makes it an enjoyable read-aloud.