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Babymouse: Puppy Love is a treat! Young readers will happily "sit" and "stay" as they join this pint-sized heroine on another grand adventure.
When Babymouse's sixth fish goes belly-up in its bowl, she wonders if she should try a different kind of pet. Yet a hamster, a turtle and a ferret don't fare very well, each causing its own type of chaos in her bedroom. That doesn't faze our girl, because she really has her heart set on a puppy. When a lost dog wanders into her yard, she quickly seizes the moment – as well as the pooch. But taking care of a dog poses some brand new challenges.
Just when I thought this series couldn't get any better, it did. Pets rank right up there on kids' most-wanted lists, and Babymouse's experiences are all too real and hilariously funny. The author and illustrator (a brilliant brother and sister team) don't shy away from the truth, even when it gets a little messy (after you read page 62, you will know exactly what I mean). As they show Babymouse's enthusiasm in picking the perfect pet, the pitfalls are skillfully painted in pink and black.
Babymouse, although not quite human (okay, she's not human at all), portrays important emotions that will resonant with this age group. Her hopes and dreams are sketched with compassion, humor and a good quality marker. Readers connect to this character because she views each opportunity as an adventure, a chance to embrace what lies before her and worry about the consequences later on. As her reading audience runs alongside Babymouse to see what's around the next corner, they become infected with her excitement and anticipation. Thankfully, there are no vaccines for that kind of stuff.
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Babymouse #8: Puppy Love