Bruno and Titch: A Tale of a Boy and His Guinea Pig

PreS-Gr 2—This tale begins before the title page, with a split illustration depicting both a young boy named Bruno wishing for a guinea pig and a guinea pig waiting for his "Big Person" to come and select him. Dempsey has captured the longing of both the boy and the animal as they move toward that pet/owner bond. The illustrations, in light pastel colors, are loaded with detail that young children will love to peruse, such as the topiaries outside Bruno's house, which resemble guinea pigs. The child is so pleased with his pet, Titch, that he spends time creating a "palace of fun" for him, although the guinea pig fears that the boy is going to return him to the pet store. Titch is drawn with his fur combed over his forehead into a widow's peak, giving him a perpetual frowny face and making it hard to tell when he is happy, as when Bruno reveals his new play area and Titch relaxes in a field of celery. This is a good choice for children who are learning to predict a story's outcome and for libraries needing more books about getting a pet.—Elaine Lesh Morgan, formerly at Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR