Truman the dog

Gr 1--3--Eight-year-old Kaita is Japanese-American, and she loves books, puzzles, drawing, and her rescue dachshund Ollie. She also wants to be a vet when she grows up. One night at dinner, her father announces that they will be fostering an older black lab named Truman whose family had to move away without him. Kaita is excited about fostering Truman and finding him his "forever home," but she soon realizes that adding another dog to a household isn't always easy. Truman is shy with new people and doesn't like to be left alone. He shreds his dog bed, eats food off the counter, and hates baths. Soon, her family is repeating the constant refrain, "Oh, Truman. You found trouble." Despite the challenges with Truman, Kaita works hard to make him feel at home and take care of him, and she struggles a little with giving him up. The story has five chapters, a variety of full-color illustrations, and is the first in a new series, with Kaita fostering a new animal in each title. There are many worthwhile elements--a responsible and helpful protagonist, a diverse and loving family, and the message that rescuing animals is worthwhile--though the story is predictable. The endpages have discussion questions for readers, some drawing activities, a glossary, and a fun comparison of the real-life Kaita (who inspired the story) with the fictional Kaita. VERDICT A sweet title that will appeal to young readers who love dogs.--Sally James, South Hillsborough Elementary School, CA

A rescue dog gets into some silly hijinks with his foster family.Eight-year-old Japanese American Kaita Takano and her family have decided to foster a black Lab named Truman. When Truman arrives, he's a little shy, but it doesn't take long for him to get comfortable with the Takano family and their dachshund, Ollie. Fostering brings new challenges and lessons, especially when Truman finds trouble, like eating a whole box of treats or rolling in the trash. Kaita grows to love Truman and learns fostering an animal is difficult when you have to say goodbye. Florence's first in a new chapter-book series is divided into five chapters meant for readers making the transition from early readers. The focus on fostering animals rather than adopting them brings the topics of caregiving and sacrifice to light. Demmer adds fun, full-color illustrations, bringing the lovable Truman to life. The characters are culturally diverse, and cultural customs are reflected in the illustrationscharacters go barefoot inside the Takano house, for instance. Based on a real-life Kaita, the book offers a backmatter section with photographs comparing the real and fictional Kaitas. It also provides discussion questions, activities, and a glossary. Buttons the Kitten releases simultaneously, and the Takanos will foster hamsters and a bearded dragon in future outings.An adorable first book in a new series for animal lovers. (Fiction. 6-9) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.