She's not athletic like her friend Frank or delicate and dainty like her pal Fluffy. Wrigley loves to dance! Still, her moves have yet to impress potential adopters.
One day, Wrigley's dreams come true. She becomes a surprise Christmas present for a young boy. Instead of being delighted, the boy is disappointed. He doesn't care for Wrigley's dancing and was hoping for a Dalmatian.
A sad and confused Wrigley is returned to the shelter. She tries to be more like the other dogs, but nothing seems to work. Her paws are too big to be dainty. Her coordination is too poor to make her a star athlete. Will Wrigley ever find a family that loves her just the way she is?
I love this book! The story is filled with humor and heart. I fell in love with Wrigley from page one and rooted for her throughout.
Being a pet parent to five rescue dogs, I can definitely relate to the breed prejudice that many shelter dogs are subjected to. Instead of viewing each dog as an individual and seeing if his/her personality is a good match, many people are more concerned about designer breeds, coat colors, and whether or not the pup is already trained.
Several of my dogs were returned to the shelter for "behavioral issues" that my husband and I have yet to see. It is truly heartbreaking knowing that so many wonderful animals are treated like disposable objects.
The illustrations are whimsical and fun. Leiser uses a combination of hand drawn images with mixed media pieces to create truly stunning artwork. Every turn of the page is a surprise that is sure to delight readers.
This book is perfect for animal lovers of all ages. I can definitely see this book being used as part of the humane education curriculum in animal shelters and rescue groups across the country.
