1. Bibliography
Lang, Glenna. 2001. Looking Out for Sarah. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge Publishing. ISBN 0-88106-647-8
2. Plot summary
Perry, a black Labrador retriever, is a Seeing Eye dog. He looks out for Sarah who lost her eyesight to diabetes. Each day he wakes and carefully leads Sarah through her daily routine; shopping at the grocery store, to the train station and onto the train to one of the many schools they visit, to restaurants, the park, and then home again; through the crowds and safely across the streets. Perry loves Sarah and he loves his job. He has done it all his life; from the time he was a little puppy. Sarah loves Perry too; and she couldn’t get along without him.
3. Critical analysis
Winner of the 2004 Schneider Award Looking Out for Sarah is based on the true story of Sarah Gregory Smith and her black Labrador retriever Perry. Full of interesting facts about guide dogs such as how they are chosen from just puppies for their “pleasing dispositions”, “placed with families who…(teach) basic obedience, and later paired with a companion in need of the services of a guide dog who is then “taught the commands” that Perry already knows. Each day, patient and calm, Perry waits for Sarah’s commands such as “forward, Perry.” Before proceeding, however, he checks to make sure there are no hazards. When Sarah visits a school the children are allowed to pet Perry but only after being taught about guide dogs. They are told when a guide dog is working “they shouldn’t pat or distract him,” and that yes, she and Perry really walked “from Boston to New York to show the world what a guide dog can do for a blind person.” The book is arranged so the gouache on Arches watercolor paper illustrations tell the story. A few lines of test are relegated to the bottom of each page while full-color, double spread illustrations draw the eye to Perry and Sarah as they go about their day. Perry waking up, waiting patiently while Sarah buckles on his harness, riding on the train, and lying stretched out at her feet while she plays the guitar and sings for a group of children. The cut-paper like illustrations are solid and definite, much like Perry himself, full of bright yellows, greens, and blues; in sharp contrast to black Perry. Children preschool to 3rd grad will enjoy reading about guided dogs and the relationship between Perry and Sarah. Included is an afterward about the selection and training process for guide dogs.
4. Review excerpts
School Library Journal: “K-Gr 3-Readers follow a guide dog and a blind woman through a typical day. There are bits of information about guide dogs throughout, such as the fact that they are allowed in restaurants and stores and that people should not pet and handle them while they are working. An interesting incident that only gets two sentences is the fact that Sarah and Perry once walked the 300 miles from Boston to New York to show "what a guide dog can do for a blind person." A concluding note explains that the book is based on a real dog and a real person. While this is a charming and informative look at the life of the guide dog, it is not without some minor flaws. At times, Perry has too many human characteristics. Also, the text states that when Sarah puts on her purple sweater, Perry knows they are going to a school, but dogs are color-blind. The full-page illustrations are in soft-toned gouache that looks almost like cut paper.”Booklist: “Ages 3-8. Based on a true story, this handsome picture book tells of a day in the life of a guide dog, Perry, a black Labrador retriever who looks out for his blind owner, Sarah. Every page shows the close bond between the strong, active woman and the beloved companion who helps her be independent. Walking in the street, shopping, working, and relaxing at home, they are together. The narrative is true to Perry's viewpoint, whether he's enjoying the soft carpet and the crumbs under the table or leading Sarah up the steps of the post office or feeling the wind flattening his ears as he runs in the park. The gouache art, in bold, saturated colors and flat, well-defined shapes, is both childlike and sophisticated, with Perry at the center of the big pictures. Once Sarah and Perry walked 300 miles, from Boston to New York, and children will be caught up by the excitement of the journey as well as by the depiction of what a guide dog can do.”
5. Connections
Reader’s advisory suggestions for those who enjoyed Looking Out for Sarah:
Guide Dogs: From Puppies to Partners by Diana Lawrenson
Buddy: The First Seeing Eye Dog by Eva Moore
My Buddy by Audrey Osofsky
Lang, Glenna. 2001. Looking Out for Sarah. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge Publishing. ISBN 0-88106-647-8
2. Plot summary
Perry, a black Labrador retriever, is a Seeing Eye dog. He looks out for Sarah who lost her eyesight to diabetes. Each day he wakes and carefully leads Sarah through her daily routine; shopping at the grocery store, to the train station and onto the train to one of the many schools they visit, to restaurants, the park, and then home again; through the crowds and safely across the streets. Perry loves Sarah and he loves his job. He has done it all his life; from the time he was a little puppy. Sarah loves Perry too; and she couldn’t get along without him.
3. Critical analysis
Winner of the 2004 Schneider Award Looking Out for Sarah is based on the true story of Sarah Gregory Smith and her black Labrador retriever Perry. Full of interesting facts about guide dogs such as how they are chosen from just puppies for their “pleasing dispositions”, “placed with families who…(teach) basic obedience, and later paired with a companion in need of the services of a guide dog who is then “taught the commands” that Perry already knows. Each day, patient and calm, Perry waits for Sarah’s commands such as “forward, Perry.” Before proceeding, however, he checks to make sure there are no hazards. When Sarah visits a school the children are allowed to pet Perry but only after being taught about guide dogs. They are told when a guide dog is working “they shouldn’t pat or distract him,” and that yes, she and Perry really walked “from Boston to New York to show the world what a guide dog can do for a blind person.” The book is arranged so the gouache on Arches watercolor paper illustrations tell the story. A few lines of test are relegated to the bottom of each page while full-color, double spread illustrations draw the eye to Perry and Sarah as they go about their day. Perry waking up, waiting patiently while Sarah buckles on his harness, riding on the train, and lying stretched out at her feet while she plays the guitar and sings for a group of children. The cut-paper like illustrations are solid and definite, much like Perry himself, full of bright yellows, greens, and blues; in sharp contrast to black Perry. Children preschool to 3rd grad will enjoy reading about guided dogs and the relationship between Perry and Sarah. Included is an afterward about the selection and training process for guide dogs.
4. Review excerpts
School Library Journal: “K-Gr 3-Readers follow a guide dog and a blind woman through a typical day. There are bits of information about guide dogs throughout, such as the fact that they are allowed in restaurants and stores and that people should not pet and handle them while they are working. An interesting incident that only gets two sentences is the fact that Sarah and Perry once walked the 300 miles from Boston to New York to show "what a guide dog can do for a blind person." A concluding note explains that the book is based on a real dog and a real person. While this is a charming and informative look at the life of the guide dog, it is not without some minor flaws. At times, Perry has too many human characteristics. Also, the text states that when Sarah puts on her purple sweater, Perry knows they are going to a school, but dogs are color-blind. The full-page illustrations are in soft-toned gouache that looks almost like cut paper.”Booklist: “Ages 3-8. Based on a true story, this handsome picture book tells of a day in the life of a guide dog, Perry, a black Labrador retriever who looks out for his blind owner, Sarah. Every page shows the close bond between the strong, active woman and the beloved companion who helps her be independent. Walking in the street, shopping, working, and relaxing at home, they are together. The narrative is true to Perry's viewpoint, whether he's enjoying the soft carpet and the crumbs under the table or leading Sarah up the steps of the post office or feeling the wind flattening his ears as he runs in the park. The gouache art, in bold, saturated colors and flat, well-defined shapes, is both childlike and sophisticated, with Perry at the center of the big pictures. Once Sarah and Perry walked 300 miles, from Boston to New York, and children will be caught up by the excitement of the journey as well as by the depiction of what a guide dog can do.”
5. Connections
Reader’s advisory suggestions for those who enjoyed Looking Out for Sarah:
Guide Dogs: From Puppies to Partners by Diana Lawrenson
Buddy: The First Seeing Eye Dog by Eva Moore
My Buddy by Audrey Osofsky
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