Sally Goes to Heaven,
by Stephen Huneck (Abrams, 2014, 48 pages, $18.95, ages 5-8)
Sally Goes to
Heaven is brilliantly written and illustrated with infinite care. Where
have I been not to have read The Sally Books before this? They are actually
books with children as the main character, in the form of a lovable canine –
Sally. So easy for even parents to identify with!
Sally Loves and Lives
in Vermont
Who hasn’t heard of The Dog Chapel in
Vermont? Built by Stephen
Huneck (1948-2010) on the 150-acre Dog Mountain, The Dog Chapel
is a tribute to man’s best friend. Huneck was an artist depicting man’s best
friend in numerous ways: one of which was to write and illustrate books for
children - The Sally Books, starring Huneck’s black lab Sally, America’s
favorite dog. No humans appear, not even children – only parts of humans, like
hands for petting dogs and arms for driving them around. Because, after all,
these are dog books (for all children who understand dogs).
The Illustrations
For each of the Sally books, Huneck first drew the
illustrations in crayon; then, for each color, he carved a different block of
wood. After each block was inked with its one color, the blocks were stamped
onto paper and allowed to dry. Painstakingly finished and filled with love,
these illustrations are a national treasure.
Lovely Lessons for
Children. . . .
Who does Sally meet and what new things does she experience?
Each book is an adventure with Sally teaching her young readers how much fun it
is to meet new friends and try new things in new places like on the farm, at
the vet’s, at the beach, in the mountains, at a snow lodge – Sally even
considers getting a job.
. . . and Adults
Charming and whimsical with a twist or two to keep the
giggles coming, even from the adults, The Sally Books are books to keep. They
are intensely child-centric and personal, told from a dog’s point of view so
children understand.
Definitely My Dog
Book of the Year for Children, 2014*
Simply the best of the series of seven Sally books, Sally Goes to Heaven is warm and
friendly, a safe and delightful story of a dog’s next life and her wish for
those she leaves behind, temporarily. I simply cannot get over how warm and
wonderful Huneck’s books are. And to think I passed up the opportunity to meet
him (I also did not take the time to speak with Roger Caras a few years ago –
but given a similar opportunity again, I will have learned my lesson!)
This is my Children’s Choice Best Book of the Year, 2014,
for holding a special place in your child’s heart for his dog in heaven. A
warm, friendly, fun book to have, to hold, to read over and over again. And
smile. With an incredible story and fun digressions as well as illustrations that
are a perfect fit yet can be filled in with the imagination of a child, Sally Goes to Heaven will stay on your
bookshelf for a generation until it is time to pass it down to the next child.
The only time it will leave your bookshelf is when it is read by a child.
Sally’s Story
Sally rises slowly, with aching joints. She realizes she is
not hungry and spends her day lying in the sun. The next morning she wakes up
in heaven and goes exploring, meeting new friends. She doesn’t see any animal
shelters because every dog has a home. All the animals play together as friends
and there are always hands eager to throw a stick or toss a ball. When she lies
on her back, children form a line to rub her tummy. Her only wish is for her
family to adopt another dog to take care of them. And, you know what? That is
another book. . . . .but, in the meantime, Sally’s book contains a picture
frame for your child’ favorite pet photo.
Get the entire series. Sally’s worth it!
Next: Sally Goes to the Beach
Next: Sally Goes to the Beach
*Because not every child may be ready for Sally Goes to Heaven, DogEvals has also
selected another Children’s Choice of 2014: Ivan,
The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla – read that review
in about a week, here, after The Sally Book reviews.
The Sally Books:
Sally Goes to the
Beach, Sally Goes to the Mountains, Sally Goes to the Farm, Sally Goes to the Vet , Sally’s Snow
Adventure, Sally Gets a Job and Sally
Goes to Heaven
Sally’s Great Balloon
Adventure
Sally at the Farm, Sally
in the Sand
My Dog’s Brain, The
Dog Chapel, and Even Bad Dogs Go to
Heaven
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