Ark in the Park Author:Wendy Orr When her parents take her to visit a very special pet store in the park across from her apartment, both Sophie and Mr. and Mrs. Noah, the pet store owners, have their secret wishes fulfilled. — A sweet chapter book for beginning readers. Mr. and Mrs. Noah have every kind of pet in the world in their ark-shaped, seven-level pet shop that spans two... more » city blocks. Lonely little Sophie lives in a high-rise apartment building across the street from the park, overlooking the shop. She makes two impossible wishes, one for a pet and another for cousins, and a third not-quite-so-impossible wish-to visit The Noahs' Ark. At the same time, Mr. and Mrs. Noah are thinking about how lucky they are to have everything they have ever wanted-except children. They make one impossible wish-for grandchildren. When Sophie's seventh birthday arrives, her parents agree to take her to the pet shop. Thus begins a beautiful relationship between a lonely child with no extended family and a childless couple. Whimsical black-and-white, pen-and-ink drawings on every page encourage young imaginations to fill in the details. One can almost see dreams and wishes in the shadows. Readers will approve of Sophie's ability to handle the responsibility of crossing the street alone and feelings of importance that are granted her by her parents and the Noahs. They may expect miracles from the beginning, but the realistic ending suits the lovely story. "'You see,' said Mr. Noah, 'sometimes when you can't have something that you want very badly, you find something else instead.'" Beginning readers will be completely satisfied.« less