Looking Out for Sarah

Based on the story of a real-life woman and her seeing-eye dog - musician and teacher Sarah Gregory Smith, and Labrador retriever Perry - Glenna Lang's Looking Out for Sarah is an engaging picture-book that follows its subjects through one of their busy days. From their morning errands to their afternoon visit to a school, where Sarah sings to, and speaks with groups of young students - not to mention a flashback in which Perry recalls the 300-hundred-mile walk from Boston to New York that he and Sarah once undertook, in order to draw attention to the vital services provided by seeing-eye dogs - the narrative chronicles their active life from Perry's perspective.

I appreciated the fact that Lang's story is told from the canine show more perspective, as I think that will give young readers added insight into the way that person and dog interact, in situations such as this. I also really liked that, while Perry is clearly a hard-working dog, he still has his little doggy quirks and foibles - who could resist all those crumbs?! - and still needs plenty of love and affection. The gouache illustrations are a little flat, but work well with the subject matter and story. All in all, Looking Out for Sarah is an engaging picture-book, one I would recommend to young readers interested in stories of seeing-eye dogs, people with disabilities, or just animal tales in general. show less

A day in the life of a guide dog, based on a true story. I love its emphasis on showing what blind people are capable of with proper support.

We see a day in the life of Perry the guide dog and his person Sarah, through Perry's eyes. Readers learn how Perry responds to Sarah's commands, how he guides her through town, and that he also enjoys playing and hanging out with Sarah when he's not actively working. An educational and accessible work; kids will appreciate the bond of dog and human and the importance of guide dog work.

Looking Out for Sarah tells the story of a girl named Sarah and her dog Perry. However, this story has a cool twist to it because it tell the story from Perry's perspective. This book takes readers through the day in the life of a service dog and all that he does for Sarah! I loved this book and it gives an unusual twist since it is told from the dog's perspective!

Even though the POV is from Perry the dog, the way it's done is very humanizing. Perry is just a helper and guides Sarah around but Sarah is able to do everything else just fine. It doesn't portray the relationship at one sided, use condesending language, or seem forced.

I really enjoyed reading this book. The story is told from the point of view of the guide dog, and I think the book does a great job of educating others about guide dogs and what they do.

Based on an actual Black Lab named Perry and his owner Sarah, this story is told from Perry’s perspective. It describes a day for Perry and Sarah and even the time they walked from Boston to New York when he was six. It gives an unusual perspective for children to really connect to. They can learn what a guide dog's job is and that they are not to be distracted when they are working.