DiPucchio, Kelly. Gaston. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2014. 978-1-4424-5102-5. 40 p. $16.99. Gr. K-2.
Mrs. Poodle is the proud mother of four pups. Three perfect poodles, Fi-Fi, Foo-Foo, and Ooh-La-La, and a fourth, Gaston. Gaston is completely different in every way. In looks, demeanor, and even in his name. Gaston happily tries his hardest to be like his siblings, but can never get it quite right. One afternoon Mrs. Poodle takes her four pups for a walk in the park where they stumble across a bulldog mother, 3 perfect bulldog puppies, Rocky, Ricky, and Bruno, and a fourth, Antoinette. Antoinette, is very different from her bulldog family too. Everyone grows silent as they realize that in every way, in looks, demeanor, and even in name, Gaston fits in with the bulldog family while Antoinette fits in with the poodle family. Thinking there must have been a mistake, Gaston goes home with the bulldogs and Antoinette with the poodles. While things seem right and look right after the trade, both families quickly agree that things just do not “feel right”. Despite the many differences and challenges, Gaston and Antoinette return to their own families where they are happiest.

This sweet, charming story provides a nice lesson in accepting and appreciating differences in others. I also like the point of appreciating the differences within ones own family. This would be a great addition to any story time or discussion focusing on unique family structures and dynamics.
Picture Book                    Lisa Naylor, Concord Elementary