The absolute sweetest!

(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through Edelweiss.)

After seeing all the human-canine BFF packs chilling at the park, the adorable, unnamed star of this story decides that she wants a dog friend, too. But not just any dog: a rescue pup, from the animal shelter and everything.

After nights spent dreaming of dogs and cats and guinea pigs and rabbits, and a massive ad campaign that threatens to bury the family's refrigerator, her parents oblige. Our hero gets her pup - and saves a life, to boot.

Written by singer-songwriter, composer, musician, educator, activist, and Indigenous Canadian-American Buffy Sainte-Marie, and illustrated by the talented Ben Hodson, Hey Little Rockabye: A Lullaby for Pet Adoption just oozes charm (in the best way possible). The illustrations are lovely, and their beauty only blooms brighter when coupled with Sainte-Marie's compassionate message.

http://www.easyvegan.info/img/hey-little-rockabye-01-large.jpg

http://www.easyvegan.info/img/hey-little-rockabye-02.jpg

The narrative is pretty simple - the only text is comprised of a lullaby that Sainte-Marie sings to all of her adopted family members - but it's sweet, to the point, and nicely tailored to the intended age group of 3-7 years.

I would have liked to have seen a note on animal rescue/adoption at the end; something to the tune of "6.5 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters every year, 1.5 million of whom are euthanized. Adopt, don't shop!" (Source.) That said, I was lucky enough to read an early digital copy that still had forthcoming front and back matter, so fingers crossed.

Get it if: you're a vegan parent who's desperate to find some truly animal-friendly picture books for your child; if your family is thinking about welcoming a furry family member into the fold (this could make a sweet memento for the youngest members); if you want to instill a sense of compassion and respect for nonhumans in the kids you know and love.

http://www.easyvegan.info/2020/06/02/hey-little-rockabye-by-buffy-sainte-marie/ ( )