Charley's First Night, written by Amy Hest and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury. Candlewick Press, Random House. 2012. $19.00 ages 4 and up

"I scooped him up and held him close in my strong arms and he shivered. I showed him how the moon made its own light in the kitchen that night. "The moon did it for you," I told Charley, and he licked my nose and it tickled."

What happens when you pair the incomparable? Take Amy Hest, the writer of more than forty books - and over one million copies sold- who walks the neighborhoods of her beloved New York watching and listening and finding inspiration in the people and places that she sees daily. Add Helen Oxenbury, the award-winning British illustrator of more than sixty books for children, who has always loved drawing. The result?

A remarkably charming book to share time and time again! It is a blessed pairing and we are the happy recipients of that collaboration.

It tells the 'first night' story of Henry and Charley, a new puppy who has come to live with Henry and his family.  It's snowing when Henry brings him home; it's the right time of the year for me to share this beautiful book with you as we are living in a winter wonderland following our first permanent snowfall of this winter season. If the sun shines, and the roads warm, that may change. Otherwise, we are where we are for the duration...maybe until April! Seems a long time when you think about it from early November. That's the Canadian prairies for you!

Henry is anxious to introduce Charley to every nook and cranny of his new home:

"I showed him my bed and the place where my mother hides your birthday present when it's the day before your birthday. "This is home, Charley." I said that a lot so Charley would know he was home."

Henry's parents make it perfectly clear who is responsible for Charley's exercise and for his meals. Henry doesn't mind in the least. He wants Charley to be his forever, and he will do what it takes to ensure that he is a happy and healthy dog, starting now.  Then the talk turns to sleeping accommodations:

"They were also pretty clear about where Charley would be sleeping. (Charley would be sleeping in the kitchen, they said, and I thought about Charley in the kitchen, alone every night forever.)

Despite his misgivings, Henry's parents are adamant. A favored bear, a fluffy pillow and a ticking alarm clock are sure to make Charley feel less lonely. Aren't they? Soon, he's asleep and Henry heads to bed, tired and thoughtful. There are so many things for he and Charley to do together.

As with most newcomers, babies or puppies, Charley's first sleep doesn't last long. It's Henry to the rescue...twice! Always reassuring and loving, Henry cares for his lonely pup with as much attention as he can give:

"Charley wanted me to put him on my bed, so I put hims on my bed and thought how my mother and father were pretty clear about where Charley should not sleep."

Henry loves Charley unconditionally from their first moment together. Amy Hest captures every nuance of that endearing love. Her writing is emotional and perceptive, evoking feelings of great tenderness on each and every page. Telling it in first person makes it Henry's story from loving start to comforting end.

I heard an interview with Helen Oxenbury some time ago where she expressed surprise that people felt that her artwork had a distinctive style, a recognizable style all her own. Of that she said: "I don't recognize it, but others do." To say that her illustrations are lovely, and signature in this book is the very best praise. She adds warmth and beauty to this timeless story, assuring that her audience will fall in love with both Henry and Charley as they spend their first night together.