Job Wanted

PreS-Gr 2—A scruffy dog wanders along a dirt road looking for a home. When he reaches a farm, he does not hesitate to ask the farmer if he is in need of a dog. The farmer quickly replies that indeed he does not. Determined, the courageous canine sets out to prove to the farmer his great worth. He herds the cows, entices the horses, and cleans the hen house, providing the headstrong farmer with much-needed time for rest. However, it is what the dog does when a predatory visitor arrives that makes the farmer realize how much he really is in need of a dog. This endearing story of a down-on-his-luck pooch who will not give up is both inspiring and entertaining. Children will be eager to discover how the dog will convince the farmer that he is a valuable animal, too. Set on a bucolic farm replete with rolling hills, plowed fields, and post and rail fences, the story and illustrations will take readers along on the main character's quest for warmth, food, shelter, and a place to belong. Done in muted shades of yellows, greens, reds, and grays with watercolor, graphite, and colored pencil, the illustrations complement the story nicely, adding emotion to the characters' experiences. The expressions on each character's face allow young readers to see and understand what each character is feeling.