Sammy in the Sky

K-Gr 3—This tale of a young girl and her beloved dog whose life comes to its inevitable natural end will have broad appeal. Peering out from the opening page with soulful, winning eyes, Sammy is the "best hound dog in the whole world." He loves to play and keeps his young owner safe at night. But Sammy develops a sickness that medicine won't cure, and as he displays increasing physical infirmities, the girl's parents gently prepare her for his death. The girl comes to terms with her grief several months later when her family holds a "special celebration" on a nearby ocean beach. Seeing Sammy's shape in a passing cloud, the child begins to understand how he'll always be with her in spirit. This timeless story, told in straightforward prose, is brought to life in textured, soft-edged watercolor paintings in a predominant palette of blue, green, and gold. The feelings of the protagonist and the playful personality of the dog are palpably rendered in their facial expressions and body language. A generous trim size, universal subject appeal, and striking artwork add up to a picture book that can be enjoyed one-on-one or read independently.—Kathleen Finn, St. Francis Xavier School, Winooski, VT