The Puppy Who Wanted a Boy

Reach for this book when your child is expressing feelings of being left out, or when they are navigating the persistent hope (and inevitable patience) required when waiting for a big life change, like a new pet or a new friend. This heartwarming holiday classic flips the traditional perspective by following Petey, a lonely puppy who decides that since he hasn't been given a boy for Christmas, he will go out and find one for himself. Through his journey, the story explores themes of self-reliance, belonging, and the idea that sometimes what we are looking for is also looking for us. It is a gentle, secular holiday story perfectly suited for preschoolers and early elementary students who are beginning to understand the reciprocal nature of friendship and the importance of perseverance.