Where Are You, Brontë?
Picture book author Tomie dePaola wrote and illustrated a large number of books, starting in the 1960s, and had an impressive output right up to his death in 2020 at the age of 85. He also illustrated books written by other people, and the last creation he left behind was the text for this book. McClintock (who also illustrated Aylesworth's The Mitten) has taken this story and illustrated it in a style reminiscent of dePaola's work while still bearing her hallmarks.
May 6, 2025 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central
Picture book author Tomie dePaola wrote and illustrated a large number of books, starting in the 1960s, and had an impressive output right up to his death in 2020 at the age of 85. He also illustrated books written by other people, and the last creation he left behind was the text for this book. McClintock (who also illustrated Aylesworth's The Mitten) has taken this story and illustrated it in a style reminiscent of dePaola's work while still bearing her hallmarks.
Starting when Brontë was a puppy and arrived at dePaola's home, we see how the two of them bonded. Whimpering puppies are of course allowed into one's bed, even if they spend the next twelve and a half years sleeping there. Brontë loved his toys, and would often bring them to dePaola's writing studio. The two played games, went on walks, and clearly spent a lot of time together, enjoying each other's company, even when the dog lost his sight. After Brontë's death, the refrain "Where are you, Brontë?" becomes poignant and nostalgic. Even though he misses his faithful companion very much, dePaola is comforted by the idea that Brontë will always stay with him in his memory.
We miss dogs because they become a part of us. When they die, it feels like something is missing. This approaches the idea of death very gently, saying only "The day you left me, I knew that I would miss you", and showing dePaola looking wistfully at Brontë's food dishes and collar. After a few other lonely panels, we see an image of Brontë in the clouds, and dePaola feels that the memory of his dog is a good one that will bring him comfort.
McClintock's artwork even includes a picnic table with many of dePaola's characters sharing a meal with him, which was a interesting touch! She clearly could have drawn his style perfectly, but the mix is perfect. The colors seem reminiscent of dePaola's work, and she does give the illustrator some wonderful scarves!
There are a variety of picture books about death, including the one I think about most, Viorst and Blevgard's 1971 The Tenth Good Thing About Barney. Wild and Blackwood's Harry & Hopper, Macero's Rosie and Crayon, and Becker's A Stone for Sascha are also good choices for helping to deal with grief, but I think this will be read most by fans of dePaola's work like Strega Nona, Jingle the Christmas Clown, and The Cat on the Dovrefell.
Please Look After this Dog: A Guide to Taking Care of Me
October 7, 2025 by Post Wave
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central
Spot the dog wants young readers to not just know how to take care of dogs, but to understand the needs of their furry friends. In two page spreads, we first learn what your dog might be thinking or feeling, and then how humans can help. This is explained in the front of the book, which is a really wonderful inclusion. Topics covered include what to feed a dog, how to make sure your dog is comfortable and can get enough rest, what to do in case your pooch is ailing, and how to make sure a dog's potty needs are met. There are also pages about a dog's mental well being, with advice on how to comfort them during storms, when to give them space, and how to deal with barking and squirrel chasing. The last page even addresses the needs of older pets, and how to make them happy when they can no longer be as active as they were.
The illustrations are very colorful, with combinations like pink and yellow or red and turquoise, with lots of black line accents. The main text is in a larger font, and there is just enough to make this book suitable for a read aloud, while the details of how to take care of a pet are in slightly smaller print, in case a child is reading this book independently and wants to know more about exactly how to meet a pet's needs.
Even though the drawings are simple, Spot's expressions are rather humorous, which adds a touch of levity to a serious topic. This would be a great book to read to children who really want a pet, so that they can understand how much work is involved.
Pets are great for children, but there is a learning curve for understanding and dealing with them. Help young Readers find out how to best deal with dogs by reading them this great guide, along with Sekaninova and Wolf's Dogs Are Great BUT (It's Great to Have a Pet) or Miles' slightly longer but very thorough The Puppy Place: A Guide to Puppies.
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