Yates uses words and illustration sparingly to set the pace for this jaunty tale book lovers will lap right up. Yes, “Dog loves books,” so much so that he decides to open a bookstore. At first his clientele are few. He does not despair; he reads more books, indulging in literarily inspired flights of fancy. When customers do arrive, Dog is more than ready to recommend books they will enjoy. The gentle lines and watercolors leave white space on the pages, drawing attention to Dog and his books. The front endpapers show dogs depicted in the story; observant readers will notice that the rear endpapers show them reading titles specific to their breeds. The cover illustration of a happy Dog marching with a stack of books and the display type are set in a shiny finish of red, white and blue on top of a linen-like background, establishing the truth of the title words from the beginning. This is the true, exact depth of purpose any avid reader, even the doggy ones, wishes—sharing the joy. (Picture book. 4-8)
