Pick a Pup

PreS-Gr 1—Sam is going to the animal shelter to pick out a pup but he's worried he will not know which one to choose. After poring through piles of books with his grandma, he packs up a box and a blanket and they walk to the shelter, studying different types of dogs along the way. He considers "David's runs-right-up pup,/always-wakes-you-up pup,/dances-for-a-bone pup,/hates-to-play-alone pup" and "Auntie Ruth's woolly-like-a-sheep dog...." The rhythmic text is lighthearted and complements the warm, sunny watercolor and digital illustrations. At the shelter, Sam is greeted by a roomful of panting canines wagging their tails and ready to play, and not a cage in sight. When one pup jumps out of the pack right at Sam, he learns the trick in choosing a pet; "We're meant to be....this pup picked me!" Even though the process of getting a dog is simplified, this charming picture book focuses on the same things kids think about-the way dogs play and choosing the right one. A charming addition to any collection.—Kristine M. Casper, Huntington Public Library, NY