Buster

Fleming, Denise. Buster. New York: H. Holt, 2003. ISBN 0805062793 $15.95
Stacie Miller

Fleming seamlessly draws us into a world of a light-hearted dog named Buster. The vibrant yellow and blue hues punctuate his sunny mood, leaving the reader questioning what will happen on the next page. Life seems perfect for this canine; he has two dishes with his name on them, a large grassy yard, his own radio, and walks in the park whenever he wants. That is until an ominous brown box is brought home, and a new fluffy kitten is introduced into his world. Buster is afraid of the new addition in the family, and he decides to go on an adventure. The table turns when Buster is in trouble, and the kitten is his only hope. Fleming changes the mood by creating deep greens and blues which illustrate Busters new mood. Her writing is clear and concise, just right for the targeted young audience. Fleming does a satisfying job splashing the pages with her familiar pulp paper illustrations, crating contrasts of light and dark. It is these art pieces that leave the reader longing for a more melodic writing style. None the less, this story of friendship is sure to be a favorite.