Operation Rescue Dog

by Maria Gianferrari, Luisa Uribe (Illustrator)

Overview

This sweet story about a girl named Alma and a stray dog named Lulu shows how a girl and a dog can rescue each other.

Lulu’s ears flap in the wind

as the rescue truck rolls into the lot.

Lulu’s tail thumps—

Everything smells . . . new.

Lulu sleeps under the moon, drinking from mud puddles and is covered in ticks until she is rescued. She waits for the Operation Rescue Dog truck, scared and uncertain.

Alma misses her Mami, who is far away in Iraq. Alma wears Mami's scarf around her like a hug. She wonders: Can a dog feel like a hug?

In this heartwarming and moving picture book, a lonely child and a lonely dog come together and find warmth, companionship, and love in each other.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781499806670
Publisher:	little bee books
Publication date:	09/18/2018
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	9.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Maria Gianferrari is the author of several picture books. She lives in northern Virginia with her scientist husband, her artist daughter, and their dog, Becca. Find out more about her at mariagianferrari.com.

Luisa Uribe is an illustrator living in Bogotá, Colombia. She holds a graphic design degree from the National University of Colombia and an MA in art and design from Loughborough University. Find out more about her at luisauribe.com.

Editorial Reviews

2018-09-02

Alma and her abuela get a rescue dog as a surprise for her mother's return from Iraq.

Alma and Abuela are getting ready to pick up a dog "the color of Mami's eyes." It's a long way to the place where the Operation Rescue Dog truck will be. While Abuela makes arepas de queso—the family is originally from Colombia or Venezuela, perhaps—Alma packs snacks for the journey. Meanwhile, readers also find out about Lulu, the dog they will eventually adopt. Lulu's story starts off in sad and somber shades of steel blue as readers learn of her abandonment near a highway, for weeks eating acorns and drinking from puddles. Eventually, Lulu finds herself on the Operation Rescue Dog truck heading for the place where she will meet her forever family. As humans and dog travel toward their meeting destination, not all is smooth sailing. Abuela's car gets a flat tire that could make them miss their rendezvous, and Lulu shivers and shakes, eventually running away from the truck. But all's well that ends well, and dog and child are united: "Alma smells like…home. So does Lulu." The mixed-media illustrations portray people of different skin colors, while Alma and her abuela have brown skin. The backmatter includes further information on pet rescue and a glossary.

A very accessible story that will strike a chord with pet lovers and military families. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews