Packed full of love, this is an irresistible story of a little boy’s first experience of caring for someone smaller and more frightened than himself. When Henry brings his new puppy Charley home, his parents make it clear that Charley must sleep in the kitchen. Tenderly, Henry tucks him up, snuggles him down and makes sure that he is happy in his new bed. But, when Henry hears crying in the night, he knows he has to do all he can to reassure and comfort Charley – whatever his parents say!
This is a book about friendship, new beginnings and that indescribable measure of love that we call a dog. This story tells of the beginning of a close bond of friendship between Henry and his new pet dog, Charley. On Charley's first night, Henry carries his new puppy in his old baby blanket, all the way to his house. He shows Charley every room, saying, This is home, Charley. Henry's parents make it very clear where Charley will be sleeping: in the kitchen. But when Charley starts crying in the middle of the night...Henry simply can't leave his puppy down there by himself!
With warmth, humour and endearing simplicity, Amy Hest tells a tale familiar to everyone who has loved a puppy, while Helen Oxenbury's illustrations portray each tender gesture and charming detail. This is a beauty of a book. It is a book for every child to love, read over and over, and keep as their very own. It is lyrical, deceptively simple and, like all Amy Hest's stories, filled with warmth and emotion. Helen Oxenbury's illustrations are as irresistible as ever and make every reader want to hug someone or something TIGHT.
Amy Hest was born in New York City and raised on Long Island. She is the author of more than thirty books for young readers including When Jessie Came Across the Sea, illustrated by P.J. Lynch, and Kiss Good Night, Sam, a New York Times bestseller. She is a three-time winner of the Christopher Medal and winner of the Boston Glove-Book Award. She lives in New York. www.amyhest.com Helen Oxenbury is among the most popular and critically acclaimed illustrators of her time. Her numerous books for children include Smarties Book Prize-winning Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell; We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen; as well as her classic board books for babies. She won the Kate Greenaway Medal for Alice in Wonderland. Her most recent picture book was the critically acclaimed There's Going to Be a Baby, the first book-publishing collaboration between her and her husband John Burningham. Helen lives in London, NW2.
