What could be more perfect than a snowy day, a sled, a young boy who is a reader, a dog, warm drinks and crunchies, and a book? The boy has a brown suitcase and a long red sled. Together the boy and the dog head for the snow-covered hill. The dog runs ahead to the top of the hill to wait. The boy moves more slowly because pulling the sled is hard work. The hill is high and the dog waits patiently as the boy climbs up and up. And at last they are both at the top of the hill. They make snow angels, snowballs and a snow dog. It is cold at the top of the world, so the boy has warm drinks and crunchy toast for both of them. Snow keeps falling. They cuddle and the reader opens the suitcase and takes out the book, their special book, Two Good Friends. The only sound is the reader reading to the very last word. Then the best friends pack up the suitcase, the reader wraps his arms round his dog, and down the hill they go on the sled, faster and faster until they are home.
The story is simple but told with a definite sense of rhythm. Lauren Castillo’s art is simple and matches the lyrical quality of the story. It is one of those amazing blends of art and story that makes a perfect picture book to enjoy and share. The love and company shared by boy and dog are beautifully portrayed in words and pictures. This book needs to be shared with children and their special pets on a snowy day. It’s a book children will want to see and hear over and over.
Check the WRL catalog for The Reader.
