Recommended Age: 3+
Format: Hardcover
This story tells the tale of City Dog who is in the country and he can run as far as he wants without a leash. It is Spring and he stumbles upon Country Frog sitting on a rock. Throughout the Spring they play Country Frog games like hopping and croaking. Spring turns to Summer and City Dog runs to Country Frog's rock. During the Summer they play City Dog games together like sniffing and fetching. Fall comes and Country Frog is to tired to play so they play the remembering game, remembering Spring and Summer together. Snow falls and it is Winter, City Dog runs to Country Frog's rock and cannot find him. He sits on the rock sad and alone. Spring returns, and City Dog meets Country Chipmunk and a new friendship blossoms. The text in this book is not overly complex and it is easy to understand. The illustrations of the seasons seem to match the emotions in that season. One of the most poignant images in the book is City Dog sitting on the rock alone in the Winter. This makes a good book for older toddlers and preschoolers all the way up to elementary school kids. The sense of loss the City Dog is feeling may not be discernible by younger children but they will appreciate the images and the simple story line.
Author's website: http://www.mowillems.com/
Illustrator's website: http://www.allenspiegelfinearts.com/muth.html
This book gets me all choked up every time I read it! Mo Willems is great. Have you read his Elephant and Piggie series?
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