By Cyrisse Jaffee

Two new picture books offer a refreshing use of not-so-typical endings.

Gertie Is Not All Dogs by Siski Kalla. Clavis Publishing, 2024.

I Do Not Like Water by Eva Lindström. Translated by Annie Prime. Astra Young Readers, 2009, 2024.

In Gertie Is Not Like All Dogs, a simple story that is suitable for preschool and up, Sammy is sure he’s going to be the perfect pet companion. He’s read all about dogs and even wears pants with dog pictures on them! But when Gertie joins the family, Sammy is confused, because Gertie isn’t what he expected. She doesn’t love to chase balls or play with other dogs, and she isn’t excited by squeaky toys or human hugs.

When Sammy thinks back to times when he felt uncomfortable, he begins to realize that maybe he and Gertie are alike — Gertie doesn’t fit the mold. Bit by bit, Sammy experiments with different games and environments to see what Gertie really likes: chasing is a no, but spinning is a yes. The sprinkler is a no, as is “fetch.” But Gertie likes it when Sammy plays the piano or reads to her. Together, the boy and his dog form a bond of caring.

This is a lovely, gentle story about being different, accepting one another’s true self, and having the patience to understand those who may not fit the mold. Quiet and shy kids will see themselves in Gertie, and others will recognize friends and classmates. Stories that build empathy and foster social skills can often be awkward or pedantic, but Gertie Is Not All Dogs is neither. The friendly, appealing illustrations help convey its message effortlessly. Although there is a happy ending, it’s not one in which Gertie suddenly becomes fearless or cuddly. She remains a sweet but slightly anxious dog who, luckily, lives with someone who accepts her as is.

In I Do Not Like Water, Alf doesn’t mind frozen water — he loves sledding “over and over and over and over … again.” But he disdains water that is actually wet: “Down with rain, lakes/rivers, seas, puddles pools/oceans, streams, marshes, ponds/brooks, and creeks!” he proclaims. Alf has to endure having his entire foot (and boot) wet in the swimming pool. Then a disastrous canoe trip comes along where his boat capsizes “right away.” Even when all of his friends go to collect tadpoles, Alf stays at home rather than stand in “a stream of icy water.”

By the end of the story, Alf does not learn to overcome his dislike of water. He does not rush in to save a friend and thereby experience the joys of swimming. Nor does he realize that water brings relief in the warm weather. In the final scene, he contentedly floats on a raft while others are merrily splashing nearby. Although Alf’s feelings about water may seem a bit exaggerated to some grown-up readers, his insistence on how he feels, and his complete lack of interest in changing his attitude, is as refreshing as a cool dip in — well, you know.

Eva Lindström is a well-known Swedish author-illustrator. In 2022, she was the recipient of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, an honor given annually by the Swedish government “to a person or organization for their outstanding contribution to children’s and young adult literature.” As Lindgren did in her famous Pippi Longstocking series, Lindström has created here — albeit in a brief format — an unconventional child who speaks his mind. The illustrations, with their quirky characters and expansive perspective, perfectly complement the dry humor of the text and capture a child’s view of the world.

Cyrisse Jaffee is a former children’s and YA librarian, children’s book editor, and a creator of educational materials for WGBH. She holds a master’s degree in Library Science from Simmons College and lives in Newton, MA.