Just Like Millie
In this book, a canine companion supports a young girl who has moved to a new home with her mother and prefers the comfort of home. The anxious feelings she experiences when encountering new social situations begin to lessen after welcoming Millie, a rescue dog, into the family. Caldecott Honor Winner Lauren Castillo uses a blend of ink and soft watercolor to illustrate this gentle journey of both Millie and her new owner, who observe each other with thoughtful reflection. Millie’s playful interactions with other humans and other dogs, balanced by her awareness and proximity to her young owner, are just the right balance to support the young girl’s steps to a newfound friendship. Readers will find this story relatable, reassuring, and soothing, just like Millie.
Pennsylvania Center for the Book Awards
Book Activities & Discussion Ideas
Provide materials for children to draw themselves with a real or imaginary animal friend that helps them to feel brave. What would it look like? What kinds of activities would they do together? If possible and permitted, invite a therapy dog to join the classroom for a visit, and talk together about how animals can provide comfort and companionship to many people. Children might also enjoy painting and decorating their own kindness rocks, which can be placed in a local park or other public place to share messages of encouragement and bravery with others. To brainstorm, children can generate a list of things Millie might have said to her owner if she could talk.
Allow time for adults to peruse the illustrations on each page of the story, observing the facial expressions and body language of each character, including Millie, throughout the story. Invite adults to describe any changes they see in the little girl as the story continues. When reading with young children, adults can point out these observations, asking children questions about how the characters may be feeling. Adults can also change their voice when reading to mirror the emotions of each character.