Review by Booklist Review
Eeny, meeny, miney, pup, / which teeny-weeny, tiny pup? Sam is eager to get a new puppy, but how in the world will he pick the right one? Looking through books, studying dogs on the street, drawing pictures of dogs, dogs, dogs doesn't seem to do the trick. Should it be a sit-in-your-lap dog or a likes-to-take-a-nap dog? A cornucopia of similar comparisons follows on the succeeding spreads. Once Sam arrives at the shelter, dogs of all shapes and sizes greet him, making the decision even harder. Or is it, as one golden pup makes his feelings known? The story has a certain inevitability, but it's done with such good humor and spirit, even kids who guess the ending will enjoy Sam's journey. Henry's watercolor art possesses the fun of cartoons but shows some heft as well and does a good job of portraying the emotions Sam experiences as he makes his choice.--Cooper, Ilene Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Thanks to his grandmother, Sam gets to choose a pet dog from the shelter. "But which one will he pick?" writes Chall (One Pup's Up). "Is there a way to know the one-a clue, a sign, a trick?" Eschewing the usual breed categories, Sam prefers to think in terms of character traits as he mulls over the various dogs in his neighborhood. There's the "sit-in-your-lap dog," the "hates-to-play-alone pup," the "pedigreed-Who's-Who pup" and so on. But when Sam's eyes meet those of a bouncing yellow puppy across a crowded shelter room, the boy has an epiphany that should be familiar to any dog owner: he's been chosen as well. Debut artist Henry's compositions don't break any new ground, but his watercolor and digital artwork exudes a sturdy, boyish energy, and his animal characterizations feel spot-on. Without needing much detail, he captures the infectious joy of canine physicality-whether his subject is lolling, leaping, preening, or feverishly wagging its tail-as well as the eager eyes that constitute the doggie equivalent of a grin. Ages 2-5. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
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 (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
On his way to the city pet shelter with his grandmother, a boy wonders how he'll know which dog to choose. Lively digital and watercolor illustrations animate the text describing the dogs he meets along the way: "likes-to-take-a-nap dog...dances-for-a-bone pup...one-that-barks-down-deep dog," etc. In the end, gratifyingly, the right pup picks him. (c) Copyright 2011. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Sam is a thoughtful, dark-haired boy who is ready to adopt a dog. But how will he decide which one to choose? Grandma says he'll just know, but Sam isn't so sure. Warm digital-and-watercolor artwork shows the multitude of neighborhood canines that Grandma and Sam encounter on the way to the shelter, and the sprightly, rhyming text captures each one in pithy, hyphenated phrases. For example, there's a "sit-in-your-lap dog," a "runs-right-up pup" and a "woolly-like-a-sheep dog." Each one has its own particularities, which confounds Sam further. When Grandma and Sam arrive at shelter, there are many lovable dogs awaiting new owners, and Sam wants to adopt them all. There is a special puppy waiting for just for him though, once he realizes who really does the picking. Terrific for sharing, with bouncing and memorable phrasing and appealing, energetic illustrations, this sweet and satisfying tale showcases the charm and special qualities of dogs as well as the tenderness of a grandparent-grandchild relationship. (Picture book. 3-7)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
