TALES OF A SEADOG FAMILY

by Joe Lasker ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1974

Lasker's genealogy/portrait album of an eminent canine family whose members bear a close resemblance to historical humans plays to kids beyond the picture book age in its selection of models --if not with Northern sailor Eric the Rover (""he raided instead of traded but let's let sleeping dogs lie"") and Christopher Collie who ""stumbled on the New World,"" then at least with Sir Francis Seadog of The Golden Hound, polar explorer Commodore Byrd Dog and certainly shipbuilder Isambard Bowwow Brunel--and to grownups in its visual allusions, from the Winslow Homer cover and Botticelli opener with variously subtle others to the end. (Once you've identified the reference though, there's little else to be said.) For preschoolers there are the busy and varied action scenes and the numerous slyly characterized and costumed dogs of every description--but that's about all there is to hold them while those who go for Lasker's games puzzle out the in jokes.

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1974

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Viking

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1974

Categories: CHILDREN'S