The Blue House Dog

Blumenthals dog-and-boy story may be too sad for some, but her lyrical prose and Gustavsons (Mind Your Manners, Alice Roosevelt!) lush paintings have the impact of a documentary film. The Blue House Dog, a stray German shepherd mix, has been left homeless after his owner dies, while the death of the boy narrators old dog has left him bereft. Blumenthal (Charlie Hits It Big) observes the boy as he works to approach and tame the stray, paying close attention to physical sensations (He lets me run my hand/ lightly over his fur./ Its the same color as my hair) and crafting affecting prose-poetic lines (he scrunched down/ under a building, / waiting like a soldier/ hiding from the enemy). Gustavsons paintings capture the big dogs skittishness and the boys protective instincts. Scenes of autumn leaves and spring flowers reinforce the sense that the intimacy between the two takes months to develop. The emotions are raw and authentic, while the way in which theyre delivered is elegant--a potent combination. Ages 48. (Aug.) Copyright 2010 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

Gr 1-4--A boy mourning the death of his dog watches a neighborhood stray whose blue house was torn down. Everyone says the skinny dog that Cody calls Bones is nothing special, but first-person free verse and oil paintings indicate that he will help the child heal. Although the dog still cries softly when he passes the site of the old blue house "where the old man stopped living," Bones trusts Cody. He stays in the boy's house a little longer each day, takes walks with Cody, and eventually accepts a new name, Blue, and a blue bandana to wear around his neck. As the physical distance between boy and dog closes, the realistic illustrations gradually include more light and brighter colors. This gentle story may help pet owners following a loss and also illuminates the caring qualities that lead to trust, healing, and friendship.--Julie R. Ranelli, Queen Anne's County Free Library, Stevensville, MD

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.