★ BLUE
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - July 2018 (starred review)

K-Gr 3–In her companion to Green, Seeger follows the lives of a boy and his dog, Blue. Beginning with the sleeping toddler and his puppy accompanied by the words “baby blue,” the pair is shown growing up together and sharing experiences through all seasons and in all weather. Their various activities include blueberry picking, chasing butterflies, taking snowy walks, and frolicking in the ocean. An azure bandana appears on almost every page, sometimes worn by the boy and sometimes by his dog. The pictures and words will appeal to readers’ emotions, including delight, contentment, exasperation, and profound sadness when the youth is pictured holding his elderly dog for the last time. Precisely placed die-cuts lead readers to the next page and the next illustration depicting the pair’s devotion. Short, rhyming couplets consisting of two words each scan well and are skillfully conveyed by the acrylic paintings on canvas: “quiet blue/silly blue/stormy blue/chilly blue.”

VERDICT: Though there is sorrow, it is followed by joy in this touching tribute to a heartwarming relationship that will engage readers of all ages.

- Maryann H. Owen, Oak Creek Public Library WI