Can I Be Your Dog? - Hardcover

Cummings, Troy

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0399554521 ISBN 13: 9780399554520

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers, 2018

Synopsis

The New York Times bestseller featured on THE TODAY SHOW!

A heart-tugging dog adoption story told through letters--deeply sincere and almost desperate pleas for a forever home--from the dog, himself!

This picture book shares the tale of Arfy, a homeless mutt who lives in a box in an alley. Arfy writes to every person on Butternut Street about what a great pet he'd make. His letters to prospective owners share that he's house broken! He has his own squeaky bone! He can learn to live with cats! But, no one wants him. Won't anyone open their heart--and home--to a lonesome dog? Readers will be happily surprised to learn just who steps up to adopt Arfy.

Troy Cummings's hilarious and touching story is a perfect gift for a child wanting a dog, and for pet adoption advocates. It also showcases many different styles of letter writing, making it appealing to parents and teachers looking to teach the lost art of written communication.

"It's an instant classic in our household." --#1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas

About this title

About the Author

TROY CUMMINGS has written and illustrated a pile of picture books, including The Eensy Weensy Spider Freaks Out! (Big-Time!), Little Red Gliding Hood (written by Tara Lazar), and The Notebook of Doom chapter book series. In addition to books, Troy's illustrations have appeared on:

  *  Animated backdrops for an opera
  *  A package of fish sticks
  *  Jigsaw puzzles
  *  iPad pop-up books
  *  A poster warning people about germs
  *  A poster warning people about a film festival
  *  A cookbook for dogs
  *  A thing for the humane society
  *  A card game about hiking
  *  Newspapers, magazines and greeting cards

He lives in Greencastle, Indiana with his wife and kids. Dig up more of Troy's work at www.troycummings.net.

From School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2—Arfy, a floppy-eared mutt on Butternut Street, is on a mission to find his forever home. He writes a letter listing all of his admirable attributes (he is potty trained and has his own squeaky toy) to the people in the yellow house. The mail lady delivers Arfy's letter. Unfortunately, the people turn him down. Arfy keeps trying, writing more letters delivered by the mail lady. All write him back and decline his offer. Feeling sad and dejected, Arfy cries himself to sleep in his soggy box. When he wakes he finds a letter from the mail lady asking to be Arfy's person. Arfy, full of glee, sprints to the mail lady with his reply letter. Vibrantly colored digital illustrations, with no white space, captivate readers from the first page. Loosely placed shapes and textures artfully create Butternut Street. The story is told in illustrated, personalized letters. Arfy's are written in crayon and signed with a paw print. Readers will be cheer Arfy on and feel relief when he finds a person to love. The last page lists ways readers can help a homeless animal. VERDICT No bones about it; this humorous picture book will be a hit with storytime audiences and emergent readers.—Mindy Hiatt, Salt Lake County Library Services

About this edition

• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 0399554521
• ISBN 13: 9780399554520
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 40