Newbery Medal-winning author Patricia MacLachlan has written a magical and funny tale about the joy found in using words, sharing stories, and loving a wondrous dog: Rex.
GraceтАЩs aunt is a writer. She works with words every day and teaches Grace interesting words like тАЬmelancholyтАЭ and тАЬdelirious.тАЭ
But Lily is often тАЬflummoxedтАЭ by her writing. Her stories donтАЩt go anywhere, her desk is a mess, and her writerтАЩs group canтАЩt help.
So Lily posts an ad for an assistant:┬аA writer of books needs┬аan assistant, a coach, a helper,┬аfor inspiration and some magic!
The next day, Grace opens the door, and there is Rex: a Labrador retriever who will change GraceтАЩs life, and LilyтАЩs. The word тАЬamazingтАЭ is an everyday word for Rex, who inspires Lily, and helps Grace find the words to write her own story.
Patricia MacLachlan (1938-2022) was the celebrated author of many timeless books for young readers, including Sarah, Plain and Tall, winner of the Newbery Medal. She was also the author of many beloved picture books, a number of which she cowrote with her daughter, Emily.