From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 1--An episodic look at the first day in the life of a puppy in his new home. Everything is unfamiliar and strange until Sparky meets Mary, the little girl who lives there. Together they dig in the sandbox, play tug-of-war at bath time, and jump on the bed. Mary is so much fun that Sparky is convinced she must be "another kind of puppy." The two are both slightly homely with facial features that seem to remain eerily the same no matter what the activity. The gouache spreads feature bold colors and forms but perspectives rarely vary, creating a sense of sameness from page to page. The text is simple enough for early readers to tackle, although the appeal of the book may lie with preschool dog lovers. Libraries looking for additional fiction for that audience may want to consider this slight story.--Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha's Public Library, WI
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PreS. "This is Sparky. He has just arrived at his new home. Everything looks and feels strange." With short, simple sentences, an oversize format, and delightful gouache artwork that fills up the pages, this gets right to the heart of what a new puppy--and his young owner--feel as their relationship begins. Sparky, a black-and-tan doggie, looks right at the audience in the first spread, and kids will fall in love with his hopeful expression. He likes Mom; she makes him feel safe. But it's Mary who wins his heart. They dance in her room, dig for treasure in the garden, slide down the slide, and when it's bath time, they have a tug of war. Everything settles down to a snuggle as the two fall asleep. There's no real story, just a recitation of events, but what an exuberant one, with pictures so winning and full of life, they'll evoke smiles from children alone or in groups, as well as from the adults who are reading the book aloud. Sparky indeed.
Ilene CooperCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
