Review by Booklist Review
McCardie narrates a story from her own childhood in this engaging nonfiction picture book. Amanda is four years old when her parents bring Sophie home from an animal shelter, and they made sure they were prepared for their new companion, with a cozy bed and blankets, bowls for food and water, a toy to sleep with and one to chew, a ball, a leash, and a collar. Teaching commands and going out for walks are just a few of the many daily activities needed to keep Sophie healthy and happy. Even though Sophie sometimes gets in trouble, Amanda and her folks are surprised when Sophie gets interested in a dog show. Rubbino's lively multimedia illustrations in bright colors and expressionistic strokes nicely capture the playful atmosphere of McCardie's genial, straightforward text. Factual dog tips in smaller print run alongside the main text, and additional info about dog care and behaviors reinforce the book's focus. Little ones looking for helpful pointers about dog ownership will be well served by this breezy take.--Lock, Anita Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In calm, authoritative narration, a girl describes how her family's new dog, Sophie, acclimated to her new home after being adopted. Her observations about common dog behaviors ("Sophie never minded getting dirty. One day, she splashed through every puddle in the park, then shook out her fur to get dry") will be familiar to many readers with dogs, and assorted tips and facts, scattered across the pages, echo the girl's comments ("Shaking is a highly efficient way for a dog to get dry-much quicker than a towel!"). Rubbino's loose, smudgy, mixed-media art calls to mind finger painting, warmly capturing the activity-and occasional chaos-of life with a dog. Families in the early stages of bringing a dog into their lives should find this a reassuring guide to understanding their new pet. Ages 3-7. (Jan.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 3-After living in an animal shelter, Sophie the dog now has a home of her very own. The members of her new family have done their research and are very well prepared for her arrival. They have provided food, bedding, toys, and items to keep Sophie safe, such as a leash, collar, and name tag. Sophie is tentative at first but soon learns the routine of the family and even a few commands. Things are not always perfect, but there is plenty of love and forgiveness in her new home, and lots of fun, too. This title is chock-full of information for new and prospective dog owners. In addition to the main story line, there are also tips in an italicized font on each page for raising a dog and creating a healthy environment for it. Topics range from bathing and grooming to proper dog park etiquette. The illustrations, rendered in mixed media, are colorful and fun, with an added touch of whimsy. The endpapers are covered with canines of a variety of breeds, and readers will enjoy seeing how many they can identify, even though the breed names are not listed. VERDICT Ideal as a conversation starter for families contemplating adopting a dog, this will also serve as a handbook for the very young in the early stages of welcoming a furry addition to the family.-Amy Shepherd, St. Anne's Episcopal School, Middleton, DE © Copyright 2017. 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
This how-to manual for dog ownership follows a girl and her pet, Sophie. The narrative is full of facts about dogs and caring for Sophie, who has come from a shelter and later gets entered in a dog show. Additional related facts about dogs, in a slightly different handwritten-style font, surround the loose, playful mixed-media illustrations of the family. Reading list. Ind. (c) Copyright 2018. 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.
