A PUPPY FOR KEVIN

Aimed at very young readers, a book that’s all about caring for a new best friend.

Kevin is very anxious to pick up his new puppy, though he understands that he has to wait a bit for the pooch to be old enough to leave his mother. Kevin marks the big day on his calendar and buys several doggy things with Mommy: a basket, bowls, a collar and a leash. Finally, the big day arrives. The new puppy, whom Kevin will call Ruff, is sitting in a big basket with his mother and siblings. Kevin thinks he’s the sweetest of them all. The vet declares Ruff completely healthy and gives some care instructions. Ruff sniffs everything in his new home, then surprises Kevin by doing “number one” on the floor. Mommy spreads out newspapers so that they can teach Ruff before letting him go to the bathroom outside. Kevin and Ruff play together, go for walks with the new leash and collar, and learn a lot at training school. He teaches Ruff to offer his paw for a shake and uses a special shampoo to give Ruff a bath. “Ruff’s my sweet dog and my best friend,” he declares. From the kid-friendly language to the use of rainbow colors to the extra-sturdy pages and smallish trim size, Slegers maximizes appeal for a very young readership, offering many lessons in an entertaining way.

A sweetly positive new-pet primer.