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RUFF by Jane Hissey

RUFF

by Jane Hissey & illustrated by Jane Hissey

Pub Date: Aug. 1st, 1994
ISBN: 0-679-86042-8
Publisher: Random House

Using the appealing cast of stuffed animals that she introduced in Old Bear (1986) author/illustrator Hissey creates a sweet, old-fashioned tale about a little dog who finds a home. When Old Bear and the others hear a strange barking noise coming from the garden, they discover a little dog who has neither name nor home. The poor thing has never even had a birthday. So Old Bear and his pals set about righting the wrongs, giving the little stranger- -now called Ruff—a birthday party every day for a week to make up for all the birthdays he never had. The parties are such fun, and his new friends so nice, that Ruff hates to see the week come to an end. But to his surprise, the animals open their paws and hearts, and Ruff has a home at last. Ruff's adventures are rendered in Hissey's distinctive style, which uses a vivid palette and carefully delineated drawings to illustrate the toys and settings of some idyllic time before the onslaught of plastic, glitter, and electronic voices transformed kids' toys—and lives—forever. An engaging, warmhearted tale in which the delicious, nostalgic illustrations are the chief delight. (Picture book. 4-8)