10 DOGS

It’s not hard to guess what will happen to unattended sausages with dogs around….

Ten pooches of various sizes and species stare longingly at 10 sausages up on the table. One big dog jumps onto the table and sets the rumpus in motion: “1 dog with all the sausages.” “9 dogs with none.” The table’s knocked over, and two dogs play tug of sausage: “2 dogs each with half of them.” “8 dogs wanting some.” The tussle continues, and three dogs end up with most of the sausages, while the other seven have only three. What follows is sausage guarding, snatching, playing, and catching. Each double-page spread features a different split of 10 until each of the 10 dogs has a sausage…and then the inevitable happens (followed by a nap). Gravett’s follow-up to 10 Cats (2023) is just as raucous and enjoyable. The pups might look a bit sad at one time or another, but it is obvious they are always playing (until they are eating), and in the penultimate spread they all work together to help the wiener dog get to the final wiener. All will laugh at the antics, and youngsters owned by doggies will easily pick out their canine companions in the crowd…they might even learn some simple math. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Fun from the first page to the last.