Spencer's new pet / Jessie Sima.

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

From the creator of Not Quite Narwhal comes a classic tale of a boy and his dog--except in this unique story, one of them is a balloon!

When Spencer gets a new pet, he's excited to do all the things that pets do--taking walks in the park, going to the vet, and attending parties together.

There's just one hitch: Spencer's new pet is a balloon.

And that means No. Sharp. Objects.

No drooling dogs at the park. No prickly porcupines at the vet. And absolutely no pinning tails on any donkeys!

Spencer's New Pet is a story of pure fun about a boy, his dog, and a friendship that endures life's sharpest...and most unexpected twists.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Publishers Weekly Review

With many nods to silent film-including a black-and-white palette, elegant title cards dividing the story into three parts, highly dramatic close-ups, and iris shots-Sima (Love, Z) tells the nearly wordless story of a bespectacled boy and the dog he loves very much. Only the dog is no ordinary pooch: it's a seemingly magical, bright red balloon critter (one of few uses of color in the book) ostensibly created by a clown who doubles as a balloon animal artist. Like a real dog, the balloon cuddles, does tricks, romps (or at least floats) through the park, and stops at fire hydrants. But the dog also has an uncanny sense for getting too close to anything that could spell doom for a balloon, whether it's a hedgehog's spines, an eagle's talons, or a piñata stick. Finally, a classic party game hastens the inevitable, and that's when Sima offers a spectacular visual surprise. The event may initially alarm-there's a whiff of Twilight Zone eeriness in the big revelation-but Sima swiftly assures readers that all is well. As long as there's a powerful balloon artist nearby, that is. Ages 4-8. Agent: Thao Le, Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency. (Aug.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

School Library Journal Review

PreS-Gr 2--In this mostly wordless title with a surprise ending, Spencer goes on many adventures with his pet balloon dog. This title is set up like an old movie and opens with the old fashioned film leader countdown of 3, 2, 1 in large circles. Keeping with the silent movie theme, the story line begins with Part I. Readers meet Spencer who leaves the circus tent with a balloon dog on a string leash. In this section and Part II: The Park, his dog escapes being popped by a variety of sharp objects including a hedgehog, a kite, and an eagle's sharp claws. Illustrations are crisp and clear and do an excellent job of conveying the story line without words. For example, when Spencer accidentally lets go of the balloon dog, it floats up in the sky and readers feels engaged as he tries to retrieve it. The art clearly shows the flight path of the balloon dog and its many near disasters including encounters with bees, a unicorn's horn on a carousel, a pineapple, a cactus, and a broken tree branch. Fate changes in Part III: The Party. After surviving a close call during the piñata game and with the candles on the birthday cake, a girl playing pin the tail on the donkey accidentally changes everything. This story has a happy ending thanks to a balloon-sculpting clown at the party. VERDICT This clever and imaginative title lends itself to discussion. Highly recommended for public and school libraries.--Robin Sofge, Prince William Public Library System, VA

Booklist Review

This homage to black-and-white silent films opens on a boy walking his new dog, who happens to be a bright red balloon animal. As they visit the vet, the park, and a birthday party together, the boy finds that there are many dangers in the world for someone made of balloons. A prickly porcupine, splintered tree branches, birthday candles these are just a few of the threats averted by the boy as he hurries after his dog. It's not until he catches up and snatches up the pup that he lets his guard down and POP! a brilliantly devised page turn reveals a truly jaw-dropping twist. Sima (Not Quite Narwhal, 2016), whose adorable illustrations never fail to charm, has crafted an entirely immersive reading experience. You can almost hear the purr of old film reels as the opening endpapers launch a countdown. Stylized title cards separate the robust page count into three acts, and despite using no words and precious little color, the emotion and drama burn bright. While the clever conceit could go over the heads of younger readers, they will nonetheless be delighted by this heartwarming and suspenseful story of a boy and his dog, the ending of which will leave them eager for a second reading.--Ronny Khuri Copyright 2019 Booklist

Horn Book Review

A wordless picture-book ode to black-and-white silent film comedies (as well as to The Red Balloon) stars a boy named Spencer and his balloon puppy. Spencer loves his new pet and takes it with him everywhere he goes. Readers witness Spencer caring for his balloon dog in a typical new-pet montage of images including bath time, storytime, and snuggling. Trips around town offer moments of heightened drama, including close encounters with porcupine quills, a dogs teeth, a piata bat, and an eagles talons. One double-page spread alone features six potentially fatal near-poking experiences. Luckily, thanks to Spencers overly cautious nature, his pet balloon survives unscathed. A superbly executed twist ending truly makes the books conclusion pop. Simas digitally rendered illustrations capture the feel of nickelodeon cinema, right down to the vertical scratches, muddied grays, grainy texture, and title cards. The only colors present are the subtle pink shading on Spencers face and the reddish-pink balloon dog. Occasional tension-heightening close-ups and iris-shot effects all help approximate the silent cinema feel. Reel countdown endpapers and end title credits help complete this handsome package. eric carpenter September/October 2019 p.71(c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Kirkus Book Review

A boy is devoted to his new pet in this wordless adventure.From the beginning there is something a bit mysterious and intriguing about this book. Endpapers mimic old-time movie countdowns"3-2-1"as if it were a show, and the story itself is divided by black title cards. Viewers are introduced to a child with a small, red balloon dog on a string, possibly made by a clown seen peeking from a tent. Spencer feeds it, reads to it, bathes it, sleeps with it, and takes it to the vet. During a walk in the park a gust of wind tugs the leash from Spencer's hand. An exhausting chase ensues, involving a carousel, an encounter with a sharp-toothed bulldog, and more before landing them both in the middle of a birthday party where there are many more balloon animals. A game of Pin-the-Tail-on-the-Donkey leads to disasterand an amazing, incredible surprise. As befitting the vintage-movie conceit, there are close-ups, wide-angles, and multiple vignettes of the breathless, careening chase across the pages. The illustrations are in shades of black, white, and gray with only the red dog providing a splash of color. Spencer presents white, but there is diversity in the depictions of the additional characters. Young readers will be tickled and amazed and will want to view it again and again.Original and thoroughly delightful. (Picture book. 4-10) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.