  | Welcome home Author: Bates, Amy June | |
| Price: $23.28 | ||
Summary:
When Mr. and Mrs. Gargelson-Bittle decide life is too quiet, they go in search of the perfect pet, but after welcoming a menagerie into their home, they still feel like something is missing, until a puppy shows up at their doorstep, and now their family is complete.
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (+) (07/15/23)
School Library Journal (+) (10/01/23)
Booklist (09/01/23)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 10/01/2023 PreS-Gr 2—Although happy and content, the Gargleson-Bittles couple knows that this quiet home is missing something. And waffles for breakfast, although delicious, are not quite what they need. Something "lick-your-face-play-fetch-roll-over-rub-its-belly-and-chase-its-tail" sounds like just the thing. Playful, radiant colored pencil illustrations show this loving couple's path to their ideal companion. Snails, whales, a grumpy cat, an aardvark, rabbits, seals, and many, many others are welcomed, each bringing joy and a special talent. At last, just the right creature arrives to add to the happiness of this very unique and loving family. Young children (and their adult companions) will be captivated by the warmth offered in this lovely work. VERDICT Highly recommended for picture book collections, this fun-filled rumpus will delight young children and leave everyone in a glow.—Eva Elisabeth VonAncken - Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 09/01/2023 Mr. and Mrs. Gargleson-Bittle are a sweet couple with a large, empty house. When the text says, “They both wanted something a little bit lick-your-face-play-fetch-roll-over-rub-its-belly-and-chase-its-tail,” readers may think it's a dog. In an amusing subversion, however, the Gargleson-Bittles get a snail. They love Gordon the snail. He is soft, but they still want something waggy. The solution? An elephant. And so it goes, each page adding unusual pets until they have assembled an aardvark, a whale, a cat, two goldfish, three hedgehogs, a giant panda, two seals, an orangutan, an armadillo, and many more. Soft colored-pencil illustrations humorously depict the animals’ attempts at fetch. Several are surprisingly good at rolling over, barking, going on walks, and digging holes. Children will enjoy feeling they know exactly what the Gargleson-Bittles need and will be satisfied when a furry creature the couple names Waffles finally arrives. While the opening endpapers depict empty rooms in the large house, the ending scenes show the same home full of energetic animals, all of whom were given a warm welcome. - Copyright 2023 Booklist.
