Picture Book 4

Title: That New Animal

Author: Emily Jenkins

Illustrator: Pierre Pratt 

Genre: Fiction

Subgenre: Picture book

Theme: Bond of family, Changes, Replacement

Primary & Secondary characters: FudgeFudge, Marshmallow, ‘that new animal’

Date of publication: 2005

Publishing Company:  Farrar Straus & Giroux

Originally, this book caught my attention because it is from the point of view of the dogs. Being a dog lover myself, this book hit a soft spot in my heart. FudgeFudge and Marshmallow were two much loved dogs. They received a lot of attention and love from their owners until a new animal came along. They didn’t like this new animal for a couple reasons. First, it didn’t even smell like a dog. Second, this new animal was getting all of the attention. If FudgeFudge and Marshmallow whined, they were told to be quiet. On the other hand, when the new animal cried, it was cuddled and kissed on. This ‘new animal’ actually being their newborn baby was given acceptance by the dogs and was considered to be part of the family.

Children face a lot of changes in their lives. While they are young, they may change schools, meet new friends or even have additional family members come into their lives. I would use this book to show the changes that life brings. I would then create a discussion on the basis of “Do you think the dogs were replaced?” “Have you ever felt confused by the changes in your own life?”