School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-Henry is looking for the perfect pet. The ad he places in the classifieds reads, "must have waggy tail, floppy ears, soft wet nose and warm furry tongue." Duck lives alone on a cold, windy hill where no one calls, writes, or emails. After reading Henry's ad, he makes a clever doggy disguise and journeys off to meet the boy. Henry is delighted with his new "dog" until its nose, tail, and ears fall off in a game of chase. Then Henry does some research in his Enormous Book of Incredibly Interesting Things and is delighted with his new pet, especially after he makes a list of the duck's skills, including underwater swimming, flying, nest building, excellent at disguises, and "can talk...rare, but not unheard of." Declaring the bird the perfect pet, Henry names the now-happy duck Spot. Roberton's line drawings have a palette of mostly of black and white, gray, and touches of green and yellow. They are very effective in conveying mood, action, and humor. The amusing text is placed in and among the illustrations for a seamless partnership between the two. An excellent tale about not getting what you thought you wanted but loving it anyway.-Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
For her U.S. debut, Roberton provides line drawings just substantive enough to carry her story. Her hero, Henry, is a moon-headed boy who has 27 kinds of frogs but deeply wants a dog. Though her images possess an understated humor, Roberton seems more interested in words, and the story's real appeal is in her winking blend of whimsy and irony. The lonely duck who answers Henry's ad for a dog ("Must have waggy tail, floppy ears, soft wet nose and warm furry tongue") is exposed as a fraud almost immediately, but Henry is quick to realize that a duck has charms of its own. "Can FLY!" he jots down in a list of Duck Skills. "Could put on aeronautical show to earn extra pocket money." The asides are just as funny as the main story-Henry's newspaper ad for the perfect pet appears next to an ad for a time machine and an angry mob for hire-yet Henry's quick about-face and loyalty to his new pet feel genuine. A read-aloud tale good for some decorous giggling before bed. Ages 5-8. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Horn Book Review
Henry advertises for a pet dog. Duck wants a friend, so he answers Henry's ad disguised as a dog. Duck isn't a very good dog, but when his identity is revealed, Henry makes a list of duck skills that point to his being the perfect pet after all. Minimally colored line drawings humorously enhance this warm tale of friendship. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
Roberton brings a delightful sophistication and a unique twist to the kid-wanting-a-pet theme. Henry wants a dog more than chips, more than a cowboy costume, more than an all-expenses-paid trip to the moon, more, even than world peace itself. He advertises for his perfect pet and waits. Enter a lonely, nameless duck that reads and responds to the ad. Donning a doggy disguise complete with the waggy tail and floppy ears the duck pleads his case to be Henry's perfect pet and wins the boy's heart. Very simple black-and-white cartoon-like drawings with just hints of color will win children's hearts. The boy and the duck make for a winsome duo pictures of the duck taking a bath and the boy blow-drying the duck's feathers are irresistible. This wholly satisfying story with understated humor conveys the theme of friendship and is a perfect choice for storytime. It can also ignite discussions about problem solving and being open to the unexpected.--Austin, Patricia Copyright 2010 Booklist