PASTURE BEDTIME

Charlie is very logical and makes the most of his time. If he is not assisting his veterinarian mother, Selena, with her furry farm clientele, he is busy building doghouses to make money. His peace is disturbed with the sudden appearance of an inquisitive and chatty peer. After too much small talk she finally reveals that she is Amy Ma, the daughter of the new bookkeeper at his mom’s office. (Oddly, Amy’s mother herself never appears in the story.) The bookkeeper job also includes room and board on the ranch where Charlie lives, which means plenty of quality time with Amy, much to his chagrin. As the two assist Selena with several patients, including Mrs. Alred’s aging dog, a cow stuck in a tree, and a bloated kitty, Charlie reluctantly begins to appreciate Amy’s ability to comfort both the patients and their owners. Eventually the pair collaborate for better outcomes for a neglected puppy and an aging hound. The solid writing delivers a straightforward and charming plot, ideal for young readers transitioning to chapter books. Gendron’s illustrations are interspersed throughout chapters and give plenty of life and emotion to the characters. Charlie and his mom present as White while Amy presents as Asian; secondary characters are diverse.

A pleasant read for lovers of pet stories.