THE JAMIE AND ANGUS STORIES
by Anne Fine & illustrated by Penny Dale
Jamie sees Angus in a shop window and decides that they belong together. For Angus’s “silky coat looked smooth as bath water and white as snow.” His mother buys Angus and puts him away until Christmas. While waiting for the big day, Jamie prepares a sheep farm for Angus from fabric scraps, Popsicle sticks, and other found materials. From Christmas on, they are inseparable friends, through thick and thin—and washing machine disasters. What an idyllic family. Jamie’s parents are patient and understanding, his teenaged Uncle Edward seems to enjoy his company, and everyone accepts the importance of Angus in Jamie’s life. Jamie is a thoroughly delightful child, whose mischief is mild and whose imagination is lively. Each story begins with a title, illustration, and intriguing opening sentences. Dale’s (Night Night, Cuddly Bear, not reviewed, etc.) pen-and-ink drawings are just right as they highlight the action and the abounding love surrounding the pair. These stories would be ideal to read aloud to young children. Fine (Up on Cloud Nine, p. 732, etc.) is a well-known British author (the current Children’s Laureate) and this work, British in tone and syntax, is a style that should become more familiar to American readers. There is gentleness here in language and emotion that, sadly, is rare in modern American works. A jolly experience. (Fiction. 5-7)