LILY

The trauma of moving as experienced by an appealing little black dog—an inspired take on this frequent topic, since it's truly impossible to tell Lily what's going on or to reassure her with explanations. Thomas describes what happens from Lily's perspective: the comfortable features of a Boston apartment, her anxiety when everything familiar is removed, her apprehension when she finds herself in the country, then settling in contentedly with the furniture she knows and, especially, her favorite lap. Beautifully reflecting the simple story's mood, Low's art is rendered in richly shadowed pastels brightened by occasional patches of sun; he's especially creative in using points of view to emphasize Lily's uncertainty and sense of loss. (Picture book. 3-8)