“THE HELPFUL PUPPY,” by Kim Zarins and Emily Arnold McCully, Holiday House, July 1, 2012, Hardcover, $16.95 (ages 2-5)
Each day, the rooster on the farm crows cock-a-doodle-do. The ox hauls a heavy cart. The cat chases mice. Chicken lay eggs and the horse carries people around. The farm cow gives milk and the sheep give wool. It seems everyone, including the sheepdog, does something helpful except the puppy.
The puppy wants to be helpful, too, but he just doesn’t seem cutout for any of the other animals’ jobs. All that gets put behind him, though, when his boy comes home from school. The two run and play and wiggle for the rest of the day. When time for bed comes, the two friends snuggle for the night. That’s when the puppy learns he’s been helpful after all. He’s given love.
This sweet book captures a puppy’s rambunctious curiosity and the love of a true friend. Rhyming text paired with playful illustrations moves this tale forward at a jaunting pace. Children and parents will enjoy this rollicking read.
