FICTION

My Old Pal, Oscar

by Amy HEST
illus. by Amy Bates. 32p. Abrams. May 2016. Tr $16.95. ISBN 9781419719011.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 1—A towheaded boy in a slicker roams the beach and finds himself being shadowed by a black-and-white stray puppy. The endearing canine is gently rejected despite its "soft puppy beard" and "big black eyes" because the boy still mourns his recently deceased dog, Oscar. "I'll never stop being sad," the child promises. However, a thunderstorm means the boy can't resist cradling the pup in his arm and running home to safety, where he shows the yet-to-be-named pal a picture of the title character. Bates employs watercolors irresistibly to capture both rainy beach and captivating puppy. Hest's pacing reflects the growing friendship.
VERDICT The creative pair behind The Dog Who Belonged to No One now share a welcome twist on bibliotherapy following the death of a beloved pet.
Reviewed by Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA
A boy encounters a stray pup on the beach. Grieving the loss of his own dog, the boy rebuffs the puppy ("No sir. No way. Good-bye"), but happy memories prompt a change of heart. Spare, direct-address text and warm watercolor and pencil illustrations trace his complex emotional journey. Boy and pup's expressive faces and body language indicate that they'll make a great pair.
 , Apr 01, 2016

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