Daniel's Dog

Jealous, neglected and unloved: that's how Daniel feels since the arrival of his baby sister, Carrie. As his mother spends most of her time caring for the infant, Daniel feels threatened by her lack of attention and creates an imaginary companion--a ghost dog named Lucy, sent to him by his dead grandfather. Lucy represents a positive spirit, bringing Daniel comfort and understanding. As a result he becomes more receptive to the baby's needs, and is able to share his fantasy with his friend Norman, who is also experiencing a personal crisis. Inspired in part by the dog ghosts of American Negro oral tradition (which supposedly represented a deceased loved one returning in a comforting role), Bogart's story gives a fresh and unusual slant to this familiar theme. Wilson's homey, realistic illustrations--and Lucy, depicted in an appropriately ``translucent'' fashion--add a reassuring touch to a potentially unsettling situation. Ages 5-8. (Mar.)