THE PERFECT PUPPY FOR ME!

The first-person narrator of this charmingly illustrated canine tale investigates a variety of dog breeds before selecting a puppy for his birthday gift. The unnamed little boy describes individual dogs he knows that belong to his family and friends, including a few basic facts about each breed and some general information about canine behavior, obedience training, and pet care. Additional information is worked into the design with spot illustrations and hand-lettered text in a childish scrawl, which combine well with the bright colors and naïve style of the illustrations. Some of the expressions in the text may give a few adults pause (references to poop and pee and butts), and some of the information presented as facts might be debated (not all German shepherds are friendly and brave, for example). This will serve as an overall introduction for children in families thinking of acquiring a dog or for reports on dogs or thematic studies in the early elementary grades. (Picture book. 3-8)