Jahn-Clough's (My Friend and I
) tale of two lost souls who bring newfound happiness to each other's lives may be familiar, but through her minimalist text and symbolic imagery, the book will likely resonate with readers long after the last page. At the story's core is Little Dog, an Everyman figure in search of warmth and compassion in the big city. Size and color play equally important roles; lofty gray buildings and shadowy looming figures threaten to overshadow Little Dog's dreams. Like the furry hero, an artist named Rosa also lacks color in her life, as the author succinctly notes ("Her paintings were sad and dark"). When the two finally meet and form a fast friendship, their lives suddenly fill with love, and Rosa's artwork undergoes a magical transformation. Woman and dog depart the city in favor of brightly colored flowers and trees; when they return to their dwelling, "everything looked different." And indeed where once there were brownstones now stand piñata-bright row houses. Rosa's palette, too, transforms from muddy colors to one akin to Matisse. Little Dog's love has truly colored her world. Ages 4-8. (Apr.)
