Spare Dog Parts

"A little girl speculates on the origins of her beloved pet dog, an endearing mutt with an unusual, mismatched configuration of body parts...Both dog and child are appealing characters in the watercolor-and-ink illustrations, and it's refreshing to have two female protagonists and the little girl shown as a dark-skinned child with dark, curly hair."

"A wonderful picture book praising the qualities of a mutt...The slightly whimsical art is delightful and complements the imaginative story of how the little girl’s dog came to be."

★ "When it comes to true exposition of the canine soul...Spare Dog Parts soars...The text is sparse but affecting and verges on poetic at times...Spires is an expert at pet portrayal thanks to her popular Binky the Space Cat series, and while she maintains her trademark gentle cartoon style, her drawings are so much more than just pleasant or cute—they are endearingly quirky and surprisingly emotive. The motley dog radiates pure love, devotion, and scampishness whether her tongue is lolling out in anticipation of a belly rub or she is looking on in appreciation as her creator appends a mismatched paw. The text and images combine to create a moving, pure, and affection-filled ode to the mutt...Ear scratches and belly rubs all around."

"A really beautiful story that highlights the uniqueness of pets and the joy they bring into their owners lives. The illustrations in this picture book are beautifully painted, descriptive, and they will engage with the reader...A great read-aloud! Highly Recommended."

"Bright and full of energy...it hammers home the idea that, more often than not, a “perfect” dog is the dog you have."

“The short, descriptive read-aloud text complements Spires's friendly, cartoonish ink and watercolor illustrations, which are elevated by emotive facial expressions and well-balanced compositions.”