It's Mr. Scruff ...
For Mr. Scruff there's no one.
This is Mick.
He belongs to Rick.
And this is Lawrence."
Oh, I love reading this funny and heartwarming book to little ones. It takes them no time to begin chiming in with the rhymes; and you know how they absolutely love books about dogs.
Mr. Scruff is no ordinary dog. He is a resident of the local animal shelter; no one seems interested in his plight. The other dogs are carefree and happy with owners whose names and looks match their own. Poor Mr. Scruff. He is having a rough time.
It is his lucky day when Jim visits the shelter and takes an immediate liking to Mr. Scruff. His parents are unconvinced, offering arguments that have no bearing on how Jim is feeling about the loveable, scruffy, aging dog their son has decided should be his. He has all the right arguments.
"No," says Jim.
"He needs a home.
A place to call his very own.
That's what he needs.
And that's enough
for me -
and Mr. Scruff."
Off they go, despite the fact that there is no rhyme to their names. After Jim and his fmaily leave the shelter, along comes Mr. Gruff - a man with the same soft heart as Jim. LOVE it!
The artwork for this book is signature Simon James. I have followed his career sine I read The Day Jake Vacuumed (Bantam, 1989). Here, his watercolor-and-ink illustrations are filled with light and joy. Telling details add another layer of understanding to this tale of friendship in its many forms.
Fun, and poignant, too.
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