Hannah and Sugar

Starred review from January 4, 2016
Berube, creator of the children’s zine Tater Totter, makes a marvelous picture book debut with an achingly authentic story of fear conquered. Employing naive, emotionally astute watercolors and a gentle and impressively concise voice, Berube introduces Hannah and her unlikely bête noire: a well-behaved dog named Sugar who belongs to her friend Violet P. “Every day after school, Mrs. P. asked Hannah if she wanted to pet Sugar,” writes Berube. While Hannah is always polite in her demurrals, she’s desperately afraid of Sugar; Berube expresses the sum of her heroine’s phobia in a gutsy spread that shows the amiable Sugar at one margin, a dubious Hannah at the other, and an expanse of white space between that seems to dismiss any possibility of détente, let alone friendship. When Sugar goes missing, Hannah discovers that she possesses deep reserves of empathy and courage, and, with a simple but essential gesture, she saves the day. Readers will be cheering for both Hannah and Sugar—and for the wonderful new talent that produced them. Ages 5–7. Agent: Lori Kilkelly, Rodeen Literary Management.

January 15, 2016
What to do when you're afraid of dogs? Every day after school Hannah's papa meets her at the bus stop. Her friend and neighbor, Violet P., is welcomed by her mom and dog, Sugar. The other kids greet the pooch with a friendly pat, but Hannah, perhaps a kindergartner, steadfastly refuses, glancing at Sugar warily. One day, Violet reports that Sugar's missing; a neighborhood search fails to uncover her. On a starry night, as Hannah sits outside pondering what being lost feels like, she hears a whimper and investigates. Surprise! It's Sugar, her leash entangled on a bush. Stifling her instincts to flee, Hannah musters her courage and reaches out a comforting--and rescuing--hand. Sugar, who's heretofore noticed this timid girl sympathetically, gratefully nuzzles her. This is a sweet tale with a satisfying ending; expressive, childlike paint-and-ink illustrations drive the story well. Though all the human principals are white (or very light-skinned), there is a black family in the neighborhood. Dog lovers will cheer that Hannah has joined their ranks; dog-fearing children may feel emboldened, though it's unlikely that they'd come to an animal's aid without first seeking adult help--and arguably they shouldn't, an important point the story doesn't make. Another missing point of logic involves the apparent close proximity of Sugar to Hannah's house: how did no one hear the crying dog sooner? A dog-positive story with a misstep or two. (Picture book. 3-6)

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March 1, 2016

PreS-Gr 1-Every day, Hannah gets off the bus, and every day Sugar the dog is there waiting for her owner, Violet P. Every day Mrs. P. asks Hannah if she would like to pet Sugar, and every day, Hannah says, "No, thank you." Hannah is afraid of dogs, so despite Sugar living up to her name and being a sweet, gentle pup, Hannah remains apprehensive. One day, Sugar goes missing and everyone begins looking for her. Sadly, she is nowhere to be found until one night Hannah hears a noise, crawls between the bushes, and finds Sugar with her leash caught in the tangled branches. Nervously, Hannah finds the courage to reach out and pet Sugar and eventually frees the dog. Sugar is reunited with her owners, and Hannah has a new friend. For children who are nervous around dogs, this selection will offer up some extra reinforcement that there is nothing to be afraid of. The story also encourages children to overcome their fears and do the right thing. The illustrations are done in pretty, soft neutrals that suit the pace and atmosphere of the story. The plot is simple, told with some repetition that makes it an enjoyable read-aloud. VERDICT A good purchase for most general collections.-Paige Garrison, Augusta Richmond County Library System, GA

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