BOODIL MY DOG

In witty, energetically limned art and a text where the narrator's every pronouncement is contradicted by the author- illustrator's sly innuendoes, Lindenbaum (Else-Marie and Her Seven Little Daddies, 1991) depicts a bull terrier who may be fierce and eternally vigilant by reputation, but is actually quiet and timid, though certainly stubborn. Boodil's young owner (never seen or named) rationalizes her behavior at every turn, purportedly describing a paragon while really portraying a difficult, idiosyncratic, but (possibly) lovable pet. The narrative device steals the show, but should get young readers thinking. (Picture book. 4-8)