Puppy Pickup Day by April Cox and Len Smith
Published: Little Labradoodle Publishing 2018
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A pack of labradoodle puppies looks forward to meeting their new families. The smallest puppy gets lost during his return home and almost misses his chance.
The illustrations in Puppy Pickup Day are gorgeous and it’s no wonder, they’re by highly-pedigreed artist Len Smith. He’s perhaps most associated with his work on Toontown in Who Framed Roger Rabbit? and his character designs for shows like Tailspin, but he’s an experienced freelancer who has worked for dozens of children’s properties. Of course, the characters designs here are great, but I particularly admired his details on the water, leaves, and textured grass.
The writing is sweet, alternating from an adventure tale as the smallest puppy rushes home, to an introspective story about insecurity. The smallest puppy feels less desirable than his siblings, but his new family goes right to work easing his concerns.
I picked up a kitten last year who had three brothers and a protective mother. Sometimes I wonder if my cat remembers that separation, especially when he goes berserk every time another tuxedo cat appears in our yard. It’s pleasant to read this book and imagine the inevitable reality of puppy separation and placement in a new family as something to look forward to.