BLUE SPRUCE nominee 2012
written by Linda Bailey
illustrated by Bill Slavin
Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2010
30 pp.
Ages: 3 +
Interests: dogs, cats, pets
Stanley’s people have brought a cat home to live with them. The dog, while displeased, goodnaturedly tries to make friends with his new “little sister”. Unfortunately his doggy instincts keep kicking in and he simply cannot stop himself from chasing her. Finally one night he just gives up and lies down… only to have the cat snuggle down beside him. And that is that.
A story about how hard it is to make friends with someone who just does not speak your language. Stanley is an appealing hero, eager to extend the paw of friendship and generous in his desire to make peace, and we feel for him when he is relegated to the laundry room or porch for misdeeds. A warm and humorous tale.
Rarest Kind of Best 