Review by Booklist Review
Elderly, deaf in one ear, and unable to run fast anymore, a family dog named George still needs to walk outdoors. The mother, father, and two older kids take turns encouraging him to keep up as they walk on the beach together. But Rosie, the younger daughter, follows along behind them more slowly while George keeps an eye on her, as he has always done. Once, when Rosie loses her red ball to the ocean, she cries as it floats away. George, after sitting and watching all night, sees it wash ashore and returns it to Rosie. And when she's bigger, Rosie walks George, and they look after each other. From the simple, well-chosen words of the narrative to the understated but essential connection between the old dog and the young child who care for each other, the book draws listeners in with its heartfelt tale and lovable main characters. Fresh and airy as a summer day by the sea, the digital illustrations portray the main characters and the seaside setting vividly. A satisfying picture book.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
George is a brown-and-white spotted hound who, Hest (Sometimes It's Nice to Be Alone) writes in observational prose, is "old and deaf in one ear, and he doesn't run fast anymore." Gently tinted digital illustrations by Yoo (Kitten and the Night Watchman) show George dozing in a wingback chair as the children of his family call to him through an open window. On the walks that George still needs, the dog moves at the speed of the family's youngest child, Rosie, who "lags behind, rolling her ball near the sea." Though he is told to "hustle up, hurry," George does not. He watches things ("the birds in the sky and the shells in the sand") and "keeps an eye on Rosie." In a series of moving spreads, it's George who sits vigil all night long at the water's edge when Rosie's ball washes out to sea, and George who returns it to her the next morning. In this tender day-to-day portrait about caretaking across every stage of life, the creators follow George as carefully and lovingly as he watches Rosie. Human characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages up to 7. (May)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Young Rosie and the family dog exemplify interspecies, intergenerational friendship--with a touch of Zen. "George is old and deaf in one ear, and he doesn't run fast anymore." These words set the stage for a tender tale with a whisper of a plot. George, a brown and white dog, snoozes comfortably in a patterned chair, surrounded by framed photographs of him as a puppy with the same three children who are peering at him through a nearby window. "But," we're told, "he still needs a walk. So, the family takes turns walking George." Simple, colorful vignettes introduce Mother, Dad, and "the big kids." Another image depicts the entire family walking on a sandy path toward the beach, with the youngest, Rosie, trailing behind and playing with her red ball. Each time an older family member tries to rush George, "He steps. And stops." He slowly observes his surroundings, and he always "keeps an eye on Rosie." When Rosie's ball is swept out to sea, the family gathers around to comfort her. George sits and waits all day and all night until the tide returns the ball, so he can give it to Rosie. By story's end, Rosie is old enough to walk George. Now the friends practice their art of appreciation together, treating readers to one last round of sweet repetition and an impressive, shimmering sunset. Family members have skin tones in varying shades of brown. Gentle and comforting. (Picture book. 3-5) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
