School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 3A moving tale about dogs' true best friends: other dogs. Ada is a "black mop-without-a-handle," and joined the family when the narrator was just a toddler. Then came Troublesome, "...your big knock-the-mail-carrier-down dog." By the time the narrator is a sturdy, school-aged girl, Troublesome dies. Ada's mourning is so deep that she's grudgingly coaxed from it not by human love, but by the companionship of a new puppy. Vivid, poetic language is paired with realistic colored-pencil and watercolor illustrations. Though the text directs readers' attention to canine relationships, the pictures develop the supporting theme as well; it's obvious how deeply the girl cares about her dogs. The illustrations are full of energy, conveying motion and change. Dynamic composition helps to develop characters and reinforce the emotional impact of the story. Ada's Pal joins the company of Judith Viorst's Tenth Good Thing about Barney (Atheneum, 1971) as a sensitive treatment of grieving, though with a somewhat different focus. It far surpasses the label of "bibliotherapy" to achieve enduring immediacy. Young children will relish meeting Ada at story time and independent readers will cherish her as well.Carolyn Noah, Central Mass. Regional Library System, Worcester, MA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.