I am writing about (and counting) this wordless picture book towards my total book count as it is something people need to know about. There have been wordless picture books before; some hits and others not so much for me. But Spencer’s New Pet is someplace in between. This is because it has (semi-spoiler) one big screwy, creepy, out there, what the fudge (only I didn’t say fudge) just happened ending! Jessie Sima’s story might just be a case of things are not always exactly what they seem. Yet, it is the illustrations that grabbed me.
The illustrations are great, but the “story” might not be everyone’s cup of tea. This is mostly since (as mentioned above) there are no words. Some people like making up their own story, but others want a road map to follow. There is little color. Mostly black, white and grey. But when there is, that is when you need to pay attention. That themed color is important to the end of the book.
The story is a child and a dog who are new to each other. Spencer’s new pet is a lot of fun, but as they travel about (the veterinarians, a party in the park, the balloon guy) there are a lot of dangers out there for a pet balloon (a hedgehog with a horn; a tree branch).
I was not a fan of other books Sima has written, such as Not Quite Narwhal and Harriet Gets Carried Away. I did enjoy their illustrations in Snow Pony and the Seven Miniature Ponies. But have not read Love, Z. But now I am curious to see what might come of that one. Sima’s style is all their own.
