Sam and Lucy

The story of a boy and a very special chicken. Sam loves Lucy. Once his smallest hen, she became the "star of the flock" after he lavished extra attention on her. Now Lucy watches over the chicks, looks out for hawks, and ensures that the other hens have places to roost. As time passes, her bond with Sam grows stronger. She helps him with chores, finds him the biggest worms when he goes fishing, and waits for his return from school. One day, Sam notices her limping. The vet explains that Lucy is getting old; all Sam can do is watch over her and give her extra love. Soon, Lucy can't move from her nesting box, so Sam handfeeds her. One day, he observes the other hens standing beside her nearly motionless body. Sam picks her up, strokes her, listens to her cluck softly, and wraps her in a blanket. Together, the friends sit under a tree for a long time, Sam recalling happy memories. Children will probably understand, even without this heart-tugging book's explicitly saying so, that Lucy dies at the end. Youngsters who've lost beloved pets will especially feel sorrow at Lucy's loss; the description of the bond between boy and animal is warmly and realistically portrayed. The soft, gently colored illustrations suit this earnest tale. Sam and other characters are light-skinned. A tender reflection on the relationship between a child and a beloved pet. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.