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THE DAY MY DOGS BECAME GUYS

Name: THE DAY MY DOGS BECAME GUYS
Author: Merrill Markoe
ISBN: 0-670-85344-5

by Merrill Markoe ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 1, 1999

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Readers who ever hoped that their pets could become people will embrace this silly fantasy from Markoe (for adults, Merrill Markoe’s Guide to Love, 1997, etc.). “I wish they were people, so we could make them understand things once and for all,” Carey complains about his three unruly pooches. When an eerie eclipse happens, Carey’s wish comes true; there’s no teaching these old dogs new tricks, even when they are people (and not all the “guys” of the title). Ed, Dee Dee, and Butch still chase after cars, harass squirrels, and eat Carey out of house and home, then magically transform back into dogs just before Carey’s mother returns to the scene. The dogs never learn their lesson, Carey nobly takes the rap, and he learns to be more careful about his wishes. Brace hilariously captures the tongue-wagging canine-turned-human trio with off-kilter perspectives that fill this offbeat look at a dog’s life with fun. (Picture book. 5-8)

Pub Date: Feb. 1, 1999

ISBN: 0-670-85344-5

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Viking

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1999

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

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QUACK AND COUNT

by Keith Baker & illustrated by Keith Baker ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 1999

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Baker (Big Fat Hen, 1994, etc.) engages in more number play, posing ducklings in every combination of groups, e.g., “Splashing as they leap and dive/7 ducklings, 2 plus 5.” Using a great array of streaked and dappled papers, Baker creates a series of leafy collage scenes for the noisy, exuberant ducklings to fill, tucking in an occasional ladybug or other small creature for sharp-eyed pre-readers to spot. Children will regretfully wave goodbye as the ducks fly off in neat formation at the end of this brief, painless introduction to several basic math concepts. (Picture book. 4-6)

Pub Date: Aug. 1, 1999

ISBN: 0-15-292858-8

Page Count: 24

Publisher: Harcourt

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1999

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS

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by Keith Baker ; illustrated by Keith Baker

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LMNO PEA-QUEL
by Keith Baker ; illustrated by Keith Baker

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HAP-PEA ALL YEAR
by Keith Baker ; illustrated by Keith Baker

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BIG BROWN BEAR

by David McPhail & illustrated by David McPhail ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 1999

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Big Brown Bear, with a natty bowler hat, is all set to paint the house in this cheerful Level 1 reader. Every page presents a full-color scene and a few words of easily predicted, often rhyming text: “Bear is big. Bear is brown. Bear goes up. He comes down.” Big Bear climbs a ladder with a pail of blue paint, while nearby, Little Bear plays with a ball and bat—“Oh no! Little Bear! Do not do that!” These are simple words, but sometimes challenging ones, e.g., there are two uses of up, as in climbing the ladder and washing up. The pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations provide nearly ideal context, while also amplifying the story. The format is attractive and practical, featuring large type on a white background that is placed for easy reading. Beginning readers will be amused by the gentle humor in the book, and feel accomplished to have tackled it themselves. (Picture book. 5-7)