Some of my best friends have never said a single word to me. I’m pretty sure they love me, though, and I’m quite sure that I love them and am a happier person because of them. I’m referring, of course, to my animal friends – the dogs, cats, hermit crabs and other creatures who have brought so much joy to my life.
Children with pets of all sorts know very well how strong that bond can be — and these three new books about special relationships between animals and humans will definitely give young readers a big dose of the warm fuzzies.
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“Just Like Millie” by Lauren Castillo. (Ages 3-7. Candlewick Press. $17.99.)
When a young girl moves to a new home, she doesn’t feel lonely – because being alone feels safe and predictable. “Before Millie it was just Mom and me, in a new city, in our new apartment,” she says.
But when Mom takes her to an animal shelter to meet gentle Millie, not too big, not too small, “a just right dog,” the girl’s life begins to open up, and her fear of new people and new experiences begins to fade. “On every walk we met at least one new person. It was less scary each time,” she says.
With her wordless friendliness, Millie becomes a best canine buddy and helps her favorite person make a new human friend too.
Author/illustrator Lauren Castillo’s story is as gentle and sensitive as her canine character — and her gorgeous ink, watercolor and pastel illustrations capture both the heartbeat of the lively neighborhood and the tentative steps forward of the young protagonist.
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“Luigi: The Spider Who Wanted to Be a Kitten” by Michelle Knudsen, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes. (Ages 4-8. Candlewick Press. $18.99.)
When a big, hairy spider finds an old house to live in, he thinks that all he wants is a dark corner to hide in and a few bugs to eat. Imagine his surprise when the friendly (human) inhabitant of the house lifts him from under the couch and proclaims, “It feels like a kitten! I have always wanted a kitten.”
Before he realizes what has happened, the spider has a new name, a breakfast minus the bugs, and a toy to play with — as well as some cheerful companionship. But what happens when his new friend realizes Luigi is more arachnid than alleycat?
This heartwarming tale — complete with personable illustrations that truly make the spider look charmingly kittenish — ends on a tender and understanding note for the surprise soulmates.
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“The Secret Elephant” by Ellan Rankin. (Ages 4-8. Random House Studio. $18.99.)
Inspired by the true story of a Belfast zookeeper who took a baby elephant into her home every night during the aerial bombardment of World War II, “The Secret Elephant” tells the tale from the point of view of the petite pachyderm.
She and the keeper “crept and we creep’d. We sneaked and we snuck’d,” she says. “I was a VERY stealthy young elephant.”
But of course young elephants grow up, neighbors talk … and the arrangement can’t last after the head zookeeper finds out.
Still, when the elephant can’t come home with her any longer, the young woman brings home to the elephant, staying with her at the zoo during the long, frightening nights. Even after the war, after she stops working at the zoo, the woman continues to visit her elephant friend — and the connection remains strong, even though they’ve “both got a few more wrinkles now.”
Caroline Luzzatto has taught preschool and fourth grade. Reach her at luzzatto.bookworms@gmail.com
