PUPPY LOVE The Story of Esme and Sam

Written by: Gillian Shields

Illustrated by: Elizabeth Harbour

Published by: Simon & Schuster Books New York USA 2009

Ages:   4 – 8 years

Theme: love, opposites, friendship

Opening Lines: This is the city and this is the park, where dogs run and play with a yap and a bark. Here is the dog called Esme Lamour, who lives in a penthouse on the top floor. And here is the dog called Samuel Bloom, who lives in a crowded tenement room.

Synopsis: From front flap:   When posh pooch Esme Lamour finds herself lost in the park at night, she’s terribly frightened. That’s until Samuel Bloom, a downtown dog, comes to her rescue. It’s the beginning of an adventure and a great romance. But when the canine couple is torn apart, will Esme be brave enough to face the big city and find her true love?

Why I like this: With rhyming text of adventure and a love story complimented with soft pastel coloured full page illustrations, what is there not to like? This is a cleverly told story of two dogs, of how opposites attract friendship and love. And even when they were apart you were made very aware of both dogs within the rhyming text. A lovely read.

Resources/Findings:

Pet care for kids….     http://www.petdoctors.co.uk/pet-advice/pet-care-for-kids/

Teaching kids about opposits attract…     http://www.jumpstart.com/common/opposites-attract

Learning about dogs…   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZplybWvLOg

I’m always pleased to be able to bring you some more special books that have come my way and be able to share them with you and join other great writers over at Susanna’s Blog, where there are literally hundreds of book reviews to view.  So pop over  and visit the lovely author, Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and find the tab for Perfect Picture Books.    Her blog is full of resources links and activities associated with books reviewed by many authors.