Good Boy

Charlie struggles with anxiety - so much so that it sometimes makes him physically sick. When a school camping trip comes up, his worries about being away from home overwhelm him, and he ends up missing the event. Then his mom brings home Ralph, a rescue dog who is just as nervous and unsure as Charlie. Their first days together are rocky, but everything shifts when Ralph secretly trails Charlie to school, causing a commotion that unexpectedly opens the door to an agility class for Ralph.

Watching Charlie gradually step past his fears as he learns to rely on Ralph, and seeing Ralph grow from a timid, trembling dog into one who can face new places and new friends, feels heartwarming and hopeful. Their journeys mirror each other beautifully. The artwork enriches the story even further, creating a lovely balance between text and illustration. I truly enjoyed both the narrative and the art.