Love Rolls In

Gr 2-6–In this kickoff to a sweet and charming series, twin fifth graders Ruby and Henry live on a hobby farm with their parents and a menagerie of antic-laden animals: chickens, goats, a dog, a cat, a pig and a llama. Their veterinarian mother says, “No more animals!” However, when one very special animal arrives at the vet clinic, their family simply must answer the call. Arlo the puppy has a spinal injury and cannot use his back legs, and it is up to Ruby and Henry to help him get ready for a new adoptive home. This proves to be a big task, and the twins fall in love with Arlo along the way, and it is a struggle to come to terms with giving him up. Told in Ruby and Henry’s alternating viewpoints, the storyline has a healthy mix of puppy content mixed with friendship and school troubles and covers Ruby’s neurodivergence with care. Downing details her research process in the acknowledgements section, and the story is realistic in how it covers life with many pets. Character description is minimal.