AMICA HELPS ZOE

A rescue dog fears abandonment in Roberts’ picture book.

Amica, a little girl in overalls with brown skin and curly dark brown pigtails, is having a hard time with her new dog, Zoe. Zoe won’t go for walks like other dogs: “Mom says it’s because Zoe was left behind and thinks I’ll do the same.” Amica is determined, but Zoe is getting bigger and harder to carry home when she refuses to walk. Amica notices her neighbor, Mr. Jones, is throwing out a red wagon, and asks if she can have it. Amica works on the wagon, scrubbing, painting, and oiling to turn it into a “beautiful carriage” for Zoe to ride home in when she becomes fearful and won’t walk. Each day, Amica and Zoe go a little farther, until Zoe learns that no matter how far they go, they’ll always end up back at home together. Hale’s colorful illustrations blend traditional pencil and watercolor drawings with cartoon characters. At times, the imagery reveals elements of the story before they are explicated in the prose, creating beautiful transitions that invite the reader to actively engage with the imagery. The prose is lively and expressive of Amica’s frustration and dedication and Zoe’s timid nature. Some of the story is conveyed through dialogue, which is always natural, and the action is thoughtfully paced. An afterword offers practical tips for caring for rescue animals.

A well-wrought lesson in patience and perseverance.