PENELOPE POSITANO SEES IT ALL

A determined 7-year-old searches for the perfect family dog.

After much asking, Penelope’s parents finally agree: Penelope (who wears an eye patch on her right eye under her glasses to help her “less-strong eye catch up”) can get a dog. Mom wants the most obedient candidate, while Dad hopes for a dog that fits his artistic vibe, but Penelope knows finding the right match takes time. Her best friend, Gus, encourages her to trust her instincts, yet as shelter visit follows shelter visit, Penelope begins to worry her perfect pup doesn’t exist. But Penelope’s fashionista grandmother, who lives with the family in their cozy apartment and whose funky eyewear rivals Penelope’s own, offers gentle words of wisdom: “You see things other people don’t see....When the time is right, you’ll see your dog, too.” With this chapter book, the first in a new series, Cotugno has created a thoughtful, well-rounded protagonist whose willingness to look carefully rather than choose impulsively feels refreshing. Penelope’s friendship with Gus is natural and warm, and Hodgson’s colorful illustrations bring tremendous personality to every character, human and canine alike. The shelter dogs display wonderfully expressive faces, from eager hopefulness to confused bewilderment, while Penelope’s determined concentration shines through. Penelope and her family present white, while Gus is brown-skinned.

The start of a charming new series, starring a perceptive, thoughtful, and exuberant youngster.