Quarantine is tough; that's no secret at this point, and for some kids, having to spend that time apart from friends can make it even more difficult. So it's not surprise that in Candace Echols' Josephine and the Quarantine, the titular Josephine is looking for a friend to play with. After all, what's a child to do when they're bored and alone?
But Josephine isn't simply looking for another human companion; no, she has her eyes set on a furry, cute, and cuddly friend to keep her company during the long quarantine days. But bringing a dog into the family will be no easy feat. In a story we've seen played out so many times before, a reluctant parent is hesitant to take the plunge.
Echols' prose paints a stark contrast between Josephine and her mother. The heroine's rhyming, sing-song thoughts are melodic, and let the reader flow through the pages. But mom's short, curt responses put a stop to any momentum Josephine can muster. These arguments are all conducted in black and white and white illustrations, pulling readers into Josephine's despondency.
But when the pandemic hits, mom has a change of heart. With her daughter's best interests in mind, a canine companions starts to look like more of a reality. This is when Josephine and the Quarantine starts to come to life. Faint colors start to creep into the pages as mother and daughter discuss all the things they can do with a dog. As the possibility grows, Dare Harcourt's illustrations truly blossom, bursting with pastel vibrancy and transmitting all the joy that comes with pet ownership.
Spoiler alert: Josephine gets her dog, but the relationship is one that benefits the whole family. It just goes to show that even when the going gets rough, there's always a silver lining, one perhaps in the shape of man's best friend.
Thank you to Cotton Tails, the place to find unique children's clothing and shoes, found in the Laurelwood Shopping Center, and Literacy Mid-South for sponsoring this children’s book review! Learn more about the various programs offered by Literacy Mid-South by visiting their site literacymidsouth.org and follow them on Facebook and Instagram @literacymidsouth.