THE FIRST DOG

by Jan Brett ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 10, 1988

With her usual skillful technique and loving attention to detail, Brett illustrates a lame, poorly imagined story about how a paleolithic boy (Kip) might have tamed a wolf and named it Dog. Lured by the smell of roast meat, the hungry, full-grown wolf follows the boy--begging for food and warning him of predators, both likely (sabre-toothed ""cat"") and unlikely (mammoth--surely a vegetarian); meanwhile, Kip taunts him. Finally, although this has otherwise been a realistic story, Kip asks the wolf to guard him in exchange for food; we are to believe that a wagging tail signifies acquiescence. Brett's designs may indeed be inspired by surviving cave paintings and artifacts, but her story is too implausible: Kip's teasing presupposes the wolfs friendliness, and the wolf behaves as if he were already tame; moreover, it seems likely that the first wolves to be domesticated were cubs. For an imaginative fantasy about this subject, go back to Kipling's wonderful ""The Cat That Walked by Himself.

Pub Date: Sept. 10, 1988

ISBN: 0152276505

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1988

Categories: CHILDREN'S