The Longest Letsgoboy
Written by Derick Wilder and Illustrated by Catia Chien
A Margaret Wise Brown Prize in Children’s Literature Honor Book, and Crystal Kite Award Southeast Division Winner
★ “[A]s genuinely doggy a narrative as ever there was . . . Echoing the strong mutual attachment that underlies every line of this monologue, Chien’s grainy, soft-focus scenes follow [an] old pooch and a tiny, exuberant child who barely reaches his shoulder through a woodsy ramble, and then sends the dog on alone, to soar through bright abstract spaces . . . If there’s a dryeye in the house after this, check for a pulse.” —Booklist, Starred Review
★ “Stunning, tender, and brilliant. Readers will laugh and cry-but most of all love.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
★ “A perfect storm of tearjerk, with its supple poetry, canine narration, and picture of loss, but there’s a reassuring message about what we love remaining a part of us forever that youngsters may find . . . bolstering. . . . Chien’s mixed-media illustrations . . . tactfully distance the events, and an emphasis on sunny tones keeps the mood upbeat even amid the sadness. [A] spiritual complement to the more concrete take[s] on pet succession . . .” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, Starred Review
★ “One not to be missed, this moving, visceral tale is a testament to the bond between a child and pet. Any person, young or old, who has experienced loss will find this essential purchase a profound comfort.” —School Library Journal, Starred Review
“[A] moving testament to the love between child and dog. An affecting resource for starting conversations with readers experiencing their own loss.” —Publishers Weekly