Jamaica Is Thankful by Juanita Havill

Havill, Juanita Jamaica Is Thankful illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien, 32 pgs. Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2009. PICTURE BOOK. $16.00. Jamaica's friend Kristin brings over a surprise in a red box....a kitten! Jamaica thinks little Puffy is the best thing ever, but she is worried she can't keep the kitten because her brother, Ossie, is allergic to dogs and cats. She keeps Puffy in the red box in her closet until she can ask her parents if she can keep her. She doesn't get a chance to ask though before Ossie starts sneezing and rubbing his eyes. Oh no!! Jamaica is sad she can't keep Puffy, but she realizes she has other things to be thankful for! Not my favorite book ever. The story line just didn't connect for me. Kids who like animals might take an interest in it. The illustrations using watercolor and pastel are great. EL-OPTIONAL. Whitney, Library-Teacher.