International Book from Australia: "Let's Get a Pup" Said Kate

Graham, Bob. Let's Get a Pup! Said Kate. Candlewick Press, 2001.

This book was originally published in Australia. Young Kate wakes her parents up one morning and announces that she wants a puppy. After looking through the newspaper at breakfast, the family decides to go to the Animal Rescue Center and look for a pup. The family carefully looks at each dog and points out the differences in size, color, temper, and ect. They decide to take a small black and white puppy named Dave. As they are leaving the family spots a dog named Rosy. She was an older gray dog that the family immediately fall in love with her, too! They decide to keep their first choice, Dave. As the family walks away from Rosy, they look back at her in the cage several times. When they arrive home with Dave, he acts just like any young pup does. He is active, playful, and cried the whole night. None of the family could sleep for his crying. They decide to take Dave and make a trip back to the rescue center. Rosy and Dave end up coming back home with the family of three. Just like with Dave, Rosy had problems, too! After a while the family becomes comfortable with their two new dogs!

I found the illustrations visually appealing because they were created using a mixture of pen, ink, and watercolors. I was shocked to see how the appearance of the parents were depicted within this child's storybook. The father is shown with earrings and the mother with a nose ring. Both parents also have visible tattoos. I understand that this is a part of our culture in the United States, but it must be more widely accepted in Australia. I don't think I have ever read a storybook from the United States that shows characters in this manner. It seems as if authors from the United States usually illustrate children's book characters in a "clean cut" and conservative appearance.

This work helps readers recognize the importance of pet adoption if they are considering adding a pet to their family. Readers get a basic glimpse into a rescue center and see how difficult it can be walking away from animals that tug on their heart strings. No one wants to leave a pet behind, but one also must realize that they can't adopt every pet!