Picture Book no. 26: "Let's Get a Pup!" Said Kate



"Let's Get a Pup!" Said Kate
Written and Illustrated by Bob Graham

Genre: Picture Book     Sub-Genre: Fiction
Themes: Family, pets, love, emotion, loss, humor

Primary Characters: Kate, her mother and father, the two dogs they adopt from the Rescue Center
Secondary Characters: Other dogs at the Center, Kate's cat who has died recently (implied)

Published July 14, 2003 by Candlewick Press

Awards:
Australian Children's Book of the Year
ALA Notable Book
Boston Globe Hornbook Award

In this heartwarming story, we meet Kate and her Mom and Dad. They have just lost Kate's beloved pet cat, but she is beginning to move on and has now decided that she would like for the family to get a new pet-- a pup! The family goes to the local animal shelter, where they visit with many dogs and finally decide on a particular puppy, Dave. Everyone is happy with their choice. However, on their way out the family sees another dog that "speaks" to them in a way; she is older and grayer than most of the dogs at the shelter. Once home, they can't stop thinking about her..so they go back and get her! As a lifelong animal lover, I was tearfully relieved when Kate and her parents returned to the shelter to adopt "Rosy". =) This sweet story would be a good storytime read-aloud for a class of young children because almost all of them will be able to relate to having (and, unfortunately, losing) pets at some time or another. One thing in particular that I liked about this book by John Graham was his illustrations; Kate's parents are made out to be somewhat unconventional (they each have peircings, and her mother even sports a small tattoo!). In spite of their appearances, however, they are perceived as a "normal" family as you read the book, going through "normal", everyday situations. I think showing/reading a book that depicts a family that appears some way other than "traditional" is a good thing, simply because times are changing and this type of personal appearance is becoming more accepted and prevalent in today's society. It is more than likely that some of the children's parents will, indeed, look this way; perhaps books like this will help to keep those children from being made to think that there is something not quite "okay" about their parents' personal appearances.