Good Rosie!

Parents need to know that Kate DiCamillo's picture book Good Rosie!, illustrated by Harry Bliss, is an endearing story about dogs making friends. It's pretty likely to be a hit with early readers, especially those who already love dogs, but it's also a great read-aloud choice with highly detailed, appealing illustrations that help tell the story. Kids facing new social scenes (such as preschool or school) will find it easy to relate to little terrier Rosie, who'd like to have a friend but is overwhelmed and scared by all the dogs she doesn't know at the dog park. There's a definite teachable moment about rough play as Maurice, a large but clueless dog, "plays" with tiny Fifi by shaking her like a rag doll, and Rosie has to bite his leg to make him stop. All ends well and the three become BFFs, with much better understanding.