Review by Booklist Review
Ages 5-8. The high and low notes of friendship sound in finely tuned accord with the voice and emotions of childhood, meshing well with the effervescent and imaginative illustrations. (Ap 15 86)
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Warmth and humor permeate this `` truly childlike'' account of two girls' friendship, ``to the final satisfying frame,'' said PW. Ages 4-8. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3 Kellogg's ``fantastical'' nature is more than evident in his latest title. Best friends Kathy and Louise share everything together. When Louise goes away for the summer, Kathy sees the neighborhoodliterally and figurativelyas a barren desert. Finally a postcard arrivesLouise (the traitor) is having a wonderful time! Kathy is hurt and angry but is somewhat appeased by the appearance of a new neighbor, 72-year-old Mr. Jode, who has a dog who is about to have puppies. Kathy is to have the first spotted pup; Louise's mom also arranges for Louise to have one. Louise returns, bearing gifts and assurances that she did indeed miss Kathy. The first puppy is brown, and given to Louise. There is no second puppy. Kathy is crushed, until Louise suggests raising the puppy together. All ends in starry daydreams about the future. The watercolor and ink illustrations are appealingly bright and magical. Kathy and Louise's daydreams are vividly and flamboyantly portrayed, with ``reality'' just as attractively pictured. If this title is flawed, it is only because Kellogg attempts too much in his plot. There is too much going on for too long, but the charm of the illustrations is enough to minimize this factor. Janice M. Del Negro, Hild Regional Public Library, Chicago (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Friendship is sharing. Even best buddies have a falling-out sometime, but friendship can be repaired if the will is there. These familiar themes are shaken out and hung up once again in this imaginative story. Kathy and Louise are inseparable; they share a (pretend) horse named Golden Silverwind, they dream their dreams together. Then Louise goes on vacation, and Kathy's loneliness changes to resentment when she learns that Louise is having a good time, and then to joy when she is promised a puppy from a neighboring dog's next litter--""The first spotted one."" Louise is also promised one, so when she comes back, she and Kathy (best friends again) hover impatiently. The first puppy, solid brown, goes to Louise; the second puppy--but there is no second puppy. Kathy feels cheated, but Louise says, ""I think the brown puppy should belong to both of us. We could name him Golden Silverwind."" Kellogg has packed his usual magic landscapes with pattern and detail; sprays of stars swirl, gestures are dramatic, horses or cheerful dogs crowd in wherever they will fit. The text seems limp by comparison, but younger readers will like this reassuring story. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
