The Pup

Illustrator Doody uses a bit of a magician’s misdirection on the cover of The Pup as readers’ eyes are initially drawn to the dog being walked. Consequently, when, later in the text, Jenny indicates that she wants a pet, given the book’s title and the cover illustration, most readers would conclude that she will be getting a young dog. However, there’s another pup to be found in Doody’s cover art, and that is the young seal, aka a pup, seen atop the ice floe.

With her parents’ permission, Jenny heads to the local animal shelter in search of a pet, but, on the way, she encounters a pup that, upon investigation, appears to be homeless, and so she adopts it and names it Lucille. The fun part for young readers is that the ensuing text reads as if Doody is describing Jenny’s many interactions with a dog pup while Doody’s illustrations reveal that it is seal pup that has become her pet.

A knock at the door one day reveals that Lucille actually did have an owner – a travelling circus – and that she had been a performer. However, it turns out that Lucille did not want to return to her former life. “She was tired of travelling and much preferred the peace and quiet of a loving home.” Upon hearing Lucille’s words, the other circus animals collectively echo her sentiments, actions which lead to Jenny’s suggesting that she adopt all the animals, something to which the circus owners agree.

Now Jenny has plenty of pets:
a couple of cats, a dog, a horse, a bear, a giraffe,
an elephant, and, of course,
a pup.

The penultimate page contains “Some Fun Seal Facts” while the closing page clarifies that “Historically sea lions, not seals have been trained to perform in circuses.” This page also draws attention to the reality that “These days, more and more circuses are choosing not to include animals”, a position gently supported by the contents of The Pup.

Doody’s folk art-like, acrylic paint-on-paper illustrations are bright and colourful and clearly indicate the book’s Atlantic coast setting without specifically identifying it by name.

Textually and visually, The Pup is a fun read.