Reviewed by Karen Hendriks
Cookie is small dog that arrives into Girl’s
life when she needs a friend to tuck into a cuddle and help chase the sad away.
Isabelle Duff gently and sensitively explores
sadness. It is a topic that is often misunderstood and it can be hard to
understand. I particularly love that this story as told through the eyes of
Cookie, a small dog. The perspective is clever and allows the use of simple
language with a mix of short and longer sentences to great effect. Girl was warm and good to lick…And she had a
ball. The child reader understands that feelings are being explored but the
text cleverly matches their level of understanding and concept development. It
shows that when sadness hangs around you can cope with love and understanding. Girl tried to play. But she was too sad. So,
we cuddled instead. Cookie is a friend who takes Girl for lots of walks,
shares cuddles, gives love, and licks her happy again. I helped so much Girl got happier. And everyone is happier when girl is
happier. Especially me. The voice in this story is fresh and unique. It speaks
clearly to the reader and delivers a strong message about how love and
friendship can help you cope with sadness.
Susannah Crispe’s playful, pastel watercolour
illustrations are a perfect match for this text. Her use of perspective which
zooms in and out on Girl and Cookie depicts their strong bond of love
beautifully. The personality of each character shines in their facial
expressions and body movements. Crispe clearly understands that the unspoken
speaks just as loudly to the reader. I love the spread that shows Girl and
Cookie cuddling together when Girl is in a moment of sadness. There is much
heart and warmth that shows the love of Girl and Cookie. The endpapers add to
the story with the family scattered amongst the trees at the start of the book
and together as a family at the end.
Cookie is a picture book for children three years and
up that allows a child reader to take as much or as little as they need about
sadness from this book. It is also a book for dog-loving families. Cookie is a wonderful resource to bring
attention to depression and anxiety that can be used by parents, teachers or
health professionals. Cookie is a
picture book that is filled with much heart, hope and love that is well told.
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