Billie B Brown: A dog to keep by Sally Rippin. Illus. by Aki Fukuoka

Billie B Brown is back again in A dog to keep. 

In this latest adventure, Billie meets Otto, an adorable foster dog that everyone in her neighborhood loves but no one can adopt.  Billie is upset that no one can give Otto a forever home even though they all want to.  This book looks at the solution and shows that sometimes using your imagination can help you tackle a new challenge and find a solution that is a little out of the ordinary.   

I have always enjoyed reading the Billie B Brown books and I really liked this story for the problem solving that Billie does and the way that the neighborhood works together to find a solution that works for all of them but especially Otto.

Billie B Brown books are the perfect first chapter books for newly independent readers and are wonderful as a read aloud too as they are short but still have a great story that encourages discussion.  The illustrations really help to engage the reader as does the fact that each book has familiar characters throughout, including Billie’s best friend Jack.    

A dog to keep also introduces the idea of foster dogs and adopting rescue dogs.  The language is child friendly, and the story is engaging and shows that sometimes thinking outside the square can help to find the perfect solution.  I really enjoyed this book and think it is one of my favourite Billie B Brown books.

Themes: Friendship, Family, Animals, Fostering pets, Adopting pets, Problem-solving.

Mhairi Alcorn