Lucky and Squash

PreS-Gr 2—This sweet and humorous story features two endearing dogs that are neighbors and best friends despite the white picket fence that separate their yards. Lucky's "person," Mr. Bernard, is single and shy, as is Squash's "person," Miss Violet. The pups devise a plan to run away to get them to meet, fall in love, and marry. They make it to the beach and then to the city, but with dismal results. Not even a date comes about from their rescues. Will the third attempt be the charm? Will these cunning canines finally entice the couple to get together so that they can all live together happily ever after? When the pups run away to the scary forest and are captured by a ferocious bear, the heightened tension of this rescue creates a strong story arc. Birdsall's well-told tale is suspenseful and heartwarming, and the expressions on the dogs' faces in Dyer's watercolor illustrations are priceless, especially on the spreads when they are poking their heads through the slats of the fence, and when they are in the arms of their owners. This title will be a hit at storytime or in a one-on-one setting.—Anne Beier, Hendrick Hudson Free Library, Montrose, NY