PENELOPE POSITANO SEES IT ALL, by Katie Cotugno and Amy Jindra Hodgson, Harry N. Abrams, April 14, 2026, Hardcover, $15.99 (ages 6-9)
A plucky seven-year-old who can see things other people miss searches for the perfect pet in Penelope Positano Sees It All, by Katie Cotugno and Amy Jindra Hodgson.
For two hours every day, seven-year-old Penelope Positano wears an eye patch. Her eye muscles don’t quite match, and wearing the patch on her strong eye helps her less-strong eye catch up. And whenever she wears her eye patch, Penelope notices things that other people overlook.
The Positanos are getting a dog, and it’s Penelope’s job to find the perfect pup for her family. Her mom thinks they should pick the most obedient dog, and her dad wants the dog that likes his music the best, but Penelope’s not sure. Her best friend Gus said she would know which dog was meant to be hers, but the more Penelope looks, the more she worries that her dog isn’t out there.
It’s only with the encouragement of her grandma—and the help of her trusty eye patch—that Penelope realizes the perfect dog might be closer than she thinks. —Synopsis provided by Harry N. Abrams
Penelope Positano Sees It All is the first book in a new chapter-book series written by Katie Cotugno and illustrated by Amy Jindra Hodgson. And, boy, does it start out strong.
Penelope is a plucky main character with a bright spirit and a tender heart. She’s a good friend, sister and dog owner (or she will be when she finds the right four-legged friend).
Cotugno’s writing is clear and accessible, and her story is relatable. Hodgson’s illustrations are bright and friendly. The text is broken up by illustrations on every page, and the 10 chapters are short.
Penelope Positano Sees It All is a welcome addition to the chapter-book market. It’s a fun book that emerging readers will look forward to picking up and reading on their own.
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