THE LOST BONE
Margo Smith
Illus. by Derek Keijner
Westbow Press (38 pp.)
$15.95 paperback, $3.99 e-book
ISBN: 978-1-973636-79-3; October 4, 2018

BOOK REVIEW

The loss of a favorite bone causes trouble between two canine siblings.Poodles Mimi and Gigi are sisters with very different likes and dislikes. “Prim and proper” Mimi treasures her pretty hairbows; Gigi collects dog bones and loves the outdoors. Smith (The Perfect Shade of Pink, 2015) offers a vivid descriptionof Gigi rolling in the snow until she looks “like a decorated Christmas cookie.” When Gigi’s most prized bone goesmissing, she accuses Mimi of stealing it. Her sister tries to tell her that she saw the real thief, but Gigi ignores her—andsoon, the two aren’t speaking. Mimi confronts the true culprit and trades one of her favorite possessions for the bone. Butno matter what Mimi does to make things right, Gigi continues holding a grudge—until she discovers the bone-stealer forherself. The author crafts a simple, charming tale that will encourage young readers to think about the importance oflistening, how sincere apologies can make a difference, and how generosity of spirit is never wasted. Debut illustratorKeijner’s portrayal of the poodles and their cozy world, which contains no humans, complements the text with its mutedcolor scheme and gentle whimsy.An appealing picture book about character-building themes.