ROWAN
by Robin McKinley & illustrated by Donna Ruff
A pleasant book describing how the young narrator looks for an appropriate breed ("Irish wolfhounds were big and gentle. But maybe too big," etc.), settles on a whippet, buys an appealing pup that she names Rowan, and comforts her until, next morning, Rowan accepts her new home and family. The realistic events are unexceptional, but McKinley recounts them with grace; meanwhile, in her picture book debut, Ruff nicely conveys the child's tender concern and the dog's gradually renewed liveliness. (Picture book. 4-8)