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LOOKING OUT FOR SARAH by Glenna Lang

LOOKING OUT FOR SARAH

by Glenna Lang & illustrated by Glenna Lang

Pub Date: Aug. 1st, 2001
ISBN: 0-88106-647-8
Publisher: Charlesbridge

Going to the post office, shopping for groceries, and taking the train might not seem like difficult tasks—unless you’re blind. Lang tells the story of Sarah Gregory Smith and her amazing guide dog, a Labrador named Perry. Told through his eyes, it follows them as they go through the events of their day, running errands, playing in the park, and visiting a school. It is not until Perry dreams that he reveals what has set them apart from many other guide dogs and their masters. It seems that Perry and Sarah walked 300 miles from Boston to New York, following country paths and small town sidewalks lined with crowds of cheering people and television cameras. Simple gouache paintings featuring large blocks of unbroken and unvaried color dominate each page. This layout forces the text to the bottom of every page, adding to the static feeling inspired by the rather stiffly posed paintings. The tale of Perry and his master is inspirational, but unfortunately, the rather bland illustrations do not do it justice. Young readers will be interested to read about the life of a guide dog from his own perspective, but they might not make it through the end of this ho-hum title. (Picture book. 4-8)