ODD DOG

A dachshund struggles with sharing in this amiable tale.

“Peanut was an odd dog.” He does not care for bones; rather, he is obsessed with apples. His covetousness leads to paranoia, as he worries neighbor-dog Milo is plotting to steal his prized possessions. Playful, lino-cut print illustrations perfectly express the dogs’ personalities. In a series of panels, the artist showcases the silliness of Peanut’s suspicion as he comically attempts to save the juiciest of apples from an oblivious Milo. Strong silhouettes make the characters easily identifiable—Peanut is a classic wiener dog, while Milo has pear-shaped heft. Boldt also adroitly utilizes the limited palette of the medium. Earthy pastels and brilliant pops of color lend themselves to a contemporary, modern style. In the end, Peanut learns that Milo, like most dogs, only likes bones, emotionally freeing the pensive pup and opening up his world to friendship.

An amusing and charming take on the lessons learned from sharing.