FOREVER HOME

In this wordless tale, a lonely dog and a child yearning for a pet find solace and purpose together.

Alone on a stoop, an abandoned dog sits in front of a locked door and a nearby “for sale” sign. The dog sadly roams the neighborhood, searching for a new home. Meanwhile, a child pesters their parents with pleas for a dog. The child shows them photos and a bright red leash and collar, the only color amid full-bleed black-and-white spreads. The parents visit the child’s room, exasperated with its unkempt state. Undeterred, the child takes the leash for walks around town, even in the pouring rain, the crimson hue of the leash radiating hope amid the gloomy gray. On one such walk, the two main characters meet, and, in hopes of convincing their parents to let the dog come live with them, the child is motivated to help with chores and tidy their room. The pair are joyfully reunited at the dog shelter, embarking on new adventures and grateful to be together. Cole excels at creating expressive background characters and realistic details with precise ink crosshatches and linework that reward closer inspection. The child is light-skinned with spiky black hair. One parent is light-skinned; the other is dark-skinned. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

An exquisitely rendered, touching story of companionship and belonging.