Gotcha Day - by Deborah Kerbel (Hardcover)

About the Book

In this sweet rhyming picture book, a stray dog wanders through a neighborhood, dirty and hungry, until he's brought to a local rescue center where he gets fed, groomed and perfumed--and finally finds his forever home when a young girl and her family adopt him.

Book Synopsis

★ "A must-purchase for all libraries. Perfect for instilling the lesson of kindness toward animals and the importance of rescue." -- School Library Journal (SLJ), starred review

A stray pup wanders the streets, growling, prowling and scared, until an animal control officer finds him and takes him to a shelter.

There, he gets fed, groomed and perfumed, so he's ready to find a new home. As people come and go, the dog waits and waits and waits... until someone exclaims, "This pup!" A little girl knows he's the perfect dog for her. Told in rhyming text, this sweet story shows that even a down-on-his-luck pooch can find his forever home.

Praise for Deborah Kerbel:

★"This beautiful dedication to these special animals brings the reality and the irreversible finality of extinction to the forefront and calls on readers to act now, before so many other animals become endlings. Highly recommended for all collections."--Booklist, starred review for The Late, Great Endlings

From the Back Cover

From lost and alone to a happy fur-ever home

Review Quotes

""[Has] kid appeal and teaching potential...the illustrations contribute much to the story."

-- "Canadian Teacher Magazine"

★ "Lugo's illustrations fill every page, with bright colors and perfect expressions that are sure to attract even the youngest readers. This story is certain to be reread many times by adoring fans. A must-purchase for all libraries. Perfect for instilling the lesson of kindness toward animals and the importance of rescue."

-- "School Library Journal (SLJ), starred review"

"Kerbel's spare, staccato text heightens emotions while drawing out pauses and landing on sturdy, rhyming words. Paired with Lugo's deeply saturated illustrations (which feature some joyously blurry tail wagging), this tale will captivate young readers. An exuberant reminder to adopt, not shop."

-- "Kirkus Reviews"

About the Author

Deborah Kerbel is the critically acclaimed, award-winning author of over thirty books for young people of all ages. Her books have been shortlisted for the Governor General's Literary Award, the Canadian Library Association's YA Book Award and the Forest of Reading Blue Spruce Award, among others. Deborah was born in London, England, and raised in Toronto where she now lives with her family.

Udayana Lugo is a self-taught illustrator of mixed heritage. She has worked as a designer of a variety of things, including jewelry, auto parts, furniture and interiors, and now she is an illustrator of children's books, where she has found her true passion. She is the illustrator of Jungle Cat, When You Meet a Dragon and No Huddles for Heloise. Udayana lives in Richmond, British Columbia.