Lucy Rescued

PreS-Gr 2—Lucy, a small white dog with a black spot over one eye, is adopted from the animal shelter and taken to her new home by a young girl and her father. When the barking of a neighbor's dog scares her, the pup begins to howl and howl and howl. The girl puts on earmuffs, as Lucy's "Wah-ooo-ooo-roo" fills the air. As the story progresses, the word is written countless times, covering the big orange chair, the kitchen counter, and the couch and floor of the dog psychologist's office. Unfortunately the homemade treats, the comfy dog bed, and the soft lullabies are no help at all. Just when the long-suffering parents think Lucy may have to go back to the shelter, the little girl offers the unhappy little dog a stuffed animal, and the howling stops. Lucy loves this new friend and soon has quite a collection, including the child's toy giraffe. Youngsters will sigh with relief when Lucy at last becomes the perfect puppy. The whimsical cartoon illustrations are done in a combination of muted and bright colors, and the repeated use of the dog's sad howl is very moving. While the simple text will appeal to emerging readers, this story of a difficult pet settling into a new home is also a perfect fit for storytimes.—Mary Jean Smith, formerly at Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN