My Friend Fred (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: My Friend Fred Jeannette Hulick Oram, Hiawyn . My Friend Fred; illus. by Rosie Reeve. Tiger Tales, 2012. 26p. ISBN 978-1-58925-105-2 $15.95 R 4-6 yrs. Fred the dog may technically belong to the whole family, but preschool-age Grace knows that "Fred is mine. My friend Fred." And why shouldn't he be considered hers? After all, he does everything with her—he even "checks for monsters under my bed. (If there is one thing Fred will not have in our house, it is monsters under my bed)." When Grace shuts Fred up in her room with her to avoid letting him play with her sister, Fred's glum reaction finally convinces Grace to share him, even though she "knows that 'ours' is only a word and whatever anyone says, really that dog will always mostly be . . . my friend Fred." Family members who vie for the attentions of their own family pets will easily comprehend the importance of Grace's belief that Fred is "hers," and most kids (with or without siblings) will relate to the difficulty of sharing a beloved item with others. Grace's narrative voice is fresh, individual, and pleasantly conversational as well as credible in its youthful point of view. Reeve's illustrations have the slight smudginess of blended pastels, and her vibrant palette imbues the pictures with a sunny cheerfulness, while her dot-eyed people and animals call to mind the figures of Brita Granström. Grace is a lively heroine, with short dark hair that frequently goes every which way, while Fred is an adorable white pup with brown spots whose ear position deftly indicates his mood. This would particularly lend itself to storytimes or discussions concerning pets or sharing; it might also be an apt and amusing title for an older sibling to share with a younger one. [End Page 473] Copyright © 2012 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois