Description: A little boy and his new puppy both feel nervous before meeting for the first time in a tender tale that will resonate with any family taking home a furry companion.
The big day is finally here--the day a little boy and his new puppy meet. The sun is shining, the birds are tweeting, and the boy's tummy is swirling in anticipation. Is that his new puppy he sees, peeking out at the shelter? Will they really be friends and maybe play together, too? Louise Fitzgerald's touching first-person text captures tentative emotions mirrored by boy and pup, while Chuck Groenink's warm illustrations gently evoke the budding friendship between a child and his furry friend. Lyrical and empathetic, this heartfelt story will speak to anyone who is about to bring a dog companion home or has already welcomed one into their life.Review Quotes: Light-filled mixed-media renderings depict slowly unfolding scenes of the child and pet's first meet, while simple text pays careful attention to feelings, especially as facing portraits present the subjects bonding. Orienting around the social-emotional, this amiable story spotlights the cross-species understanding that unites humans and pets.
--Publishers Weekly
--Kirkus Reviews With few words and a simple rhyming scheme, the book's first-person narration applies to both the kid's and the pup's experiences. Groenink's mixed media digital illustrations offer a warm, illuminated feeling. . . . This gentle, patient picture book about a trip to the animal shelter is sure to evoke big emotions while reminding lucky pet-owning listeners of the day they brought home a furever friend. . . .
--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books