Author Margery Cuyler and illustrator Marsha Winborn, who also collaborated on Sir William and the Pumpkin Monster, turn to Valentine's Day in this engaging picture-book from the 1980s. Freckles and Willie were inseparable companions, until Jane moved in next door. Soon Willie was ignoring his loyal canine friend, because Jane didn't care for dogs. But when he made a special Valentine for Jane, and her reaction was one of contemptuous dismissal, Willies realized just who his real friend was...

Having enjoyed Sir William and the Pumpkin Monster a few years ago, I was pleased to discover Freckles and Willie, which pairs Cuyler's engaging story with Winborn's charming, expressive illustrations. I thought Winburn really captured Freckles' winsome character in her artwork, chronicling his changing emotional state as Willie begins to shut him out. Young dog lovers will undoubtedly find this portion of the story upsetting, but fortunately there is a happy ending, as Willie works to win back Freckles' affection. For my own part, while I understood the necessity of keeping Freckles away from Jane, due to her allergies, it wasn't really clear to me why Willie needed to stop playing with him, even when Jane wasn't around. Leaving that aside, this was a fun Valentine's Day story, one which focuses on the friendship offered by our animal companions, rather than on having a human Valentine. ( )