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The Blue House Dog (2010)

by Deborah Blumenthal(Favorite Author)

3.99 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

1561455377 (ISBN13: 9781561455379)

languge

English

genre

Middle Grade & Children's

publisher

Peachtree Publishers

review 1: This is a very gentle story about a dog and a boy finding each other and dealing with grief. Bones the dog has lost his owner and his home. He is now a just a stray dog that wonders the neighborhood looking for scraps; he is skittish and doesn't trust anyone. Cody is a boy who has lost his dog; he wants to befriend Bones and eventually they become a pair. This is a really good picture book dealing with grief and loss in an age-appropriate way. I thought the story was a perfect mix of sorrow and joy and both Bones and Cody work through their grief and come together. Lovely illustrations as well. This is a 2012-13 Missouri Show Me Award nominee.
review 2: After Bones’ owner dies, he is left to fend for himself on the streets. He sleeps under bushes, avoids the... more cars driving around, and forages for food. Cody, a boy in the neighborhood who recently lost his own dog, notices Bones wandering around and feeds him scraps. But Bones is very skittish and shy. Slowly Cody begins to be able to touch Bones, then works day after day to get Bones to enter the house. Slowly Bones begins to bond with this new human, trust and friendship blooming like the daffodils at his old house. Blumenthal has created a gentle story that will work its way into your heart. It is written with a tenderness that is apparent throughout. There are moments where the feeling of loss is very strong, others where the moments of connection are impressive. This is a book that brings emotions up, yet never becomes too overly negative for young sensitive children.Gustavson’s illustrations are done in oil. They have a lovely velvety texture and rich colors. He has nicely chosen the best moments of the text, where the emotion is highest, where the tension of the building friendship is evident. His illustrations use changing perspectives to show us what is happening with a welcome clarity.A gentle and profound story of a boy finding his dog. Appropriate for ages 4-6. less

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