It’s finally time to visit Anna’s auntie and uncle! But what happens when Little Joe gets lost in a big city? When it starts to get dark, will he finally find his way home or spend the night in a strange new place? Can he comfort an unexpected companion and maybe even find her a new home?
This heartfelt animal story explores the meaning of grief, depression, loneliness, and adoption with a child-friendly approach and a happy ending. It’s the perfect book to explain new beginnings, adoption, and how losing a loved one is never the end of the story—encouraging problem-solving, compassion, kindness, and family bonding.
It’s finally time to visit Anna’s auntie and uncle! But what happens when Little Joe gets lost in a big city? When it starts to get dark, will he finally find his way home or spend the night in a strange new place? Can he comfort an unexpected companion and maybe even find her a new home?
This heartfelt animal story explores the meaning of grief, depression, loneliness, and adoption with a child-friendly approach and a happy ending. It’s the perfect book to explain new beginnings, adoption, and how losing a loved one is never the end of the story—encouraging problem-solving, compassion, kindness, and family bonding.
Little Joe is a curious puppy who lives with Anna and her parents on a farm near a forest. It had wide, rolling fields and a little pond. It was a wonderful place to live, allowing Little Joe ample room to explore and meet new friends. Today, though, Little Joe and his family were leaving the farm and heading to the city to visit their auntie and uncle. Little Joe was excited about the trip because he'd never been on a long car ride. I loved the illustration featuring Little Joe's head poking out the window, taking a big whiff of nature. The little drops of spittle were a humorous touch to an already adorable image!
Anyone who lives in a small town and visits a city, or vice versa, can attest to the vast differences between the two. It can shock the senses. City life brings loud noises, which Little Joe experienced firsthand when he was taking a nap. Cities can feel more cramped with the increase in population, narrow roads, and small yards. Big cities have positive qualities, too: new wonders to explore and scents to sniff out. Little Joe was curious about the other side of the fenced-in backyard, the strange sounds and smells. Dog owners can relate to the illustration of Little Joe finding and escaping the yard through a hole in the bottom of the fence.
Little Joe was in doggie heaven briefly upon exiting the safe confines of his auntie and uncle's yard. He met new animals, who were not as excited to meet the dog as he was to meet them. His excitement quickly turned to fright with an unexpected loud crack. His reaction to the sudden noise led him to a path not yet traveled by him or his family. He couldn't sniff out a clue where his family was, which caused panic to set in. Fear. Worry. Missing home. Dogs are not the only ones who experience these reactions to similar events. Humans feel them, too; thus, this will cause readers to emphasize and feel sorry for Little Joe and the scary predicament he found himself in. Little Joe's situation is an excellent conversation starter. Ask your child or class what they would do if they were lost. Who would they turn to for help? When is it safe to get a ride from a stranger? When is it okay and not okay to accept food from a stranger?
Little Joe was lucky that he was reunited with his family. He wasn't the only animal who experienced a happy ending. Little Joe meets a beautiful animal with a sad past who finds their furever home! (Read the story to find out who it was!)
Little Joe and the Big City is an outstanding picture book that explores grief, sadness, loneliness, and fear and still delivers a happy ending. It opens the door for kids to discuss their feelings and give input on what they should do if they are lost, scared, and alone. It gives foster children hope that they'll find their forever home just like Little Joe's new friend.
There was so much to love about Little Joe and the Big City, from the touching storyline to the beautiful illustrations. I loved seeing Anna reading Little Joe and the Big Rain in bed, another story by the talented Mike Darcy. Nice book plug! I encourage sharing these two books with your family or class and watching out for the long-eared dog's next adventure: Little Joe and the Big Snow!
I agree with Amazon’s suggested reading age of 5-8 years.