FINLEY FEELS

A dog experiences a range of emotions as they settle into their forever home.

Readers follow Finley’s journey from shelter pup to a loved member of a new family. When we first see the pooch, lying quietly in a cage, we’re told “Finley feels sad.” “Finley feels scared” when a gentle child shows up to adopt them. And on the car ride home, “Finley is anxious.” As Finley becomes more comfortable, the descriptions include “curious,” “playful,” and, eventually, “happy.” In a nice touch, Finley still experiences some negative feelings even upon leaving the shelter; Finley feels “grumpy” at having to take a bath and “lonely” while watching their new owner leave on the school bus. The story concisely and accurately covers a wide range of ever changing emotions, an important concept for little readers. The repetitive, simple structure allows caregivers to expand on the text and make real-world connections. In the appealing illustrations, Finley, a white dog covered in dark spots, is adorable but not anthropomorphized; rather, Waites depicts familiar canine behaviors and mannerisms to convey feelings: a “happy” roll in the mud and an eager, “excited” leap with a wagging tail. The child who adopts Finley presents White, and the only other human portrayed is a shelter employee with dark brown skin and black hair. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

An engaging, thoughtful exploration of feelings—human and canine alike.