pestyside's Full Review: Stephen Huneck - Sally Goes to the Vet
Dogs, just like children, can get hurt while playing, it’s part of life. Dogs, just like children, occasionally need to see their doctors. This can be especially true after being cooped up inside for days – dogs, just like children, can have too much stored energy after days of being stuck inside because of rainy weather.
In Stephen Huneck’s picturebook, Sally Goes to the Vet, that’s what happens. Sally, his black Labrador retriever is stuck inside for days watching it rain and rain and rain. Having two labs myself I know that can spell trouble (trouble is spelled d-e-s-t-r-u-c-t-i-o-n) and Sally exercises her energy on homework, a passport, shoes, socks, and all sorts of gnawable items. When the sun finally comes out Sally searches for her feline friend Bingo and they begin to play the chasing game. That’s when it happens; Sally goes flying through the air and lands in a most unpleasant way. She needs to go to the vet.
We see her being transported to the animal hospital; she’s rushed in past a snake, turtle, squirrel, fish, chicken, cat and other dogs. The vet examination includes an X-ray. We get to see Sally’s inside and bones. The vet looks down her throat, into her eyes, and gives her a shot. When Sally returns home she tells Bingo all about the visit and the things the vet taught her.
Author/illustrator Stephen Huneck has a series of Sally books, all about his black Labrador and some of her friends. He creates each page from woodcut prints. In the front of each book he explains the woodcut process where he first designs a print using crayons, then carves a block of wood for each color in the appropriate shape. The end result is a very colorful folk art design that appeals to adults and children. I recently discovered the Sally books with Sally Goes to the Beach, a delightful book for young readers and a great way to talk about summer vacation experiences.
Sally Goes to the Vet not only teaches young children about veterinarians and what they do and how they help animals, but it also opens discussion for when they go to their own doctors. Dogs, just like children, might be afraid to go to their doctors, but Sally learns it’s okay.
The language is simple and easy for beginning readers. There are words of caution in the text. "Remember Sally, always look where you are running." A secondary story about friendship provides a sweet conclusion and young children will love the chase game.
Belle and I are spending too much time in the vet office these days but on my first day there I carried this book, Sally Goes to the Vet. It got a lot of attention. Several children wanted to read it. We did. The vet’s then wanted to read it. They did and loved the vet parts. This is a veterinary medicine school and although everyone handling our case is already a physician, they are still in training and dreaming of the day they have their own waiting room. Several said they wanted a copy of this delightful book in their waiting room.
Stephen Huneck dedicates this book to vets everywhere. "I am so appreciative of the loving care veterinarians give our animal companions. They are with us at our happiest moments, when we are told our best friend is going to be okay, but also at our saddest when we have to say good-bye. By their dedication they show us that the fellow creatures we share this planet with all have great dignity and worth." I recommend this to parents with young children (4 to 6 year olds) and pets but also to anyone training to become a vet (would make a nice gift to someone you know in training) or to anyone opening up their first animal clinic.
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