Amigo

Wow! I read this to my (almost) 7 year old son last night because it was sent home as his reading homework. At the end he said, I have tears of joy - and he did. What a lovely tale of friendship. It was a tad long but it completely held my attention and my son's.

Wow! I read "Amigo" to my (almost) 7 year old son last night because it was sent home as his reading homework. At the end he said, I have tears of joy - and he did. What a lovely tale of friendship. It was a tad long but it completely held my attention and my son's.

This is a very imaginative and beautiful tale. I really thank the author for writing this adorable and tender story in poem. It explores the beauty of nature and to emphasize the prettiest things in life like having a friend. I would love to have a dog too, like Francisco does. But I cannot have one because I live in an apartment and I do not have patio so he would run around. I felt identified with Francisco and his urgency to have a pet. This was also very funny reading about the little prairie dog's thoughts towards Francisco, because he sees Francisco as a pet. For "Amigo" it is very funny to hear how humans talk. I think this book would be a favorite book for a child.

My 7-year-old son has loved this book since it was first read to him at age 3. It is beautifully written -- a real pleasure to read aloud! -- and its message is wonderful: one can live with, respect and love Nature's creatures without having to own them! Garth Williams' illustrations are terrific, too, of course. Like the other reviewer, reading this book can cause me to cry, especially as I near its lovely ending. Get this book and take the time to read it to an attentive child. And check out Baylor's other titles; she's got the right idea.

I read this book to both of my children and remember barely being able to keep from crying. It is truly a wonderful, heart warming story of a poor Mexican boy whose only pet was a praire dog. It is written in simple and poetic verse. If this book doesn't make your children think about the beautifully simple pleasures of life then nothing will.