My Someone: A Pet Adoption Story

K-Gr 2–In this dog’s-eye-view adoption story, the shaggy narrator sets description almost entirely aside to focus on immediate feelings and responses. After peering sadly into an overturned garbage can and dodging scary traffic and scarier big dogs, the small, ragged stray gazes across a street at light- and dark-skinned passersby with pets in tow. In one of several wordless scenes, the dog is gently picked up by Animal Rescue workers. Following a round of washing (“I don’t like this!”) and shots (“I REALLY don’t like this!!!”), the rescuee meets a smitten-looking small child and his smiling mom, both with Asian features. They introduce their new pet to a comfy home that comes with toys, food, and, best of all, a bed to share. “At last, I have found my someone…and my someone loves me.” Young readers will have to look elsewhere to find out about the nitty gritty details and challenges of adopting a rescued pet—but after this book, the hard part of winning them over to the notion that it would be a wonderful and rewarding deed will be done.