PUPPY PICKUP DAY

An adventurous puppy gets lost in this picture book. 

A young labradoodle excitedly wakes on “puppy pickup day,” when he and his fellow canines will be chosen by their forever families. As they play outside, the pup struggles; he can’t catch a ball and falls off the slide. Discouraged, he follows two rabbits under the fence, soon discovering he’s lost. He declares: “I must get back, I cannot stay. Today is puppy pickup day!” The pup asks various animals how to find his cohorts. Eevee the cat directs via riddle: “Through the tall grass…and over the hill, you will find a stream and a bullfrog named Bill.” He is eventually helped by Abra, a large dog friend. The pup is nervous to finally meet his new humans. Will they accept a clumsy, tiny dog? When they arrive, it’s clear that Nana, Grandpa, and their grandkids love him. They name him Brady, and everyone smiles on the drive home. The text has a jaunty rhyme scheme. Cox (Little Labradoodle & Friends Coloring and Activity Book, 2018, etc.) employs repetitious lines, making this a fine choice for emerging readers. Smith’s (Meet the Robinsons, 2007, etc.) exceptional, detailed illustrations enhance the story and depict a diverse human cast. Brightly colored and engaging, the images should appeal to animal-loving youngsters following Brady’s escapades. The pictures also provide subtext, showing, for example, that Aunt Nola Doodle, who supervises the pups, is a dog. 

A fun, beautifully illustrated, and heartfelt animal tale.