I Got a New Friend Book Review

I Got a New Friend by Karl Newsom Edwards tells the tale of a little girl who has just been given a puppy.  At first, the puppy is shy and scared.  The pint-sized pooch is afraid of her new surroundings.

The little girl is not about to give up on her new friend.  Being patient, she allows the dog time to get to know her.  Will the girl's persistence pay off?  Can the pouting pup learn to trust humans?

This is a fantastic book for children who have just adopted a pet.  The story presents helpful tips on how a child can help care for the new addition.  I love that even though the little girl is telling the story, she appears to be speaking from the dog's point of view.  She knows exactly what the pup needs in order to feel safe and loved.

Edwards' illustrations are adorable.  Children will fall in love with the puppy from page one.  I really like Edwards' use of white space, especially for background imaging.  The main characters truly shine and take center stage.  The use of a limited color palate is refreshing and keeps the story flowing at a great pace.

I would highly recommend this book to parents of young children who are considering adopting a pet.  I would love to see this book incorporated in animal shelter and rescue groups across the country.  The story would tie-in wonderfully with any humane education program.