This No, David! with a canine protagonist should appeal to a broad audience, whether dog lovers or not
A humorous story about a lovable, troublemaking puppy.
Flash is an energetic, rambunctious puppy whose thirst for fun means this playful pup’s choices often put him in the doghouse. Paul’s delightfully expressive pencil-and-watercolor illustrations keep the pace moving forward, with Flash often romping about all over the spread. Flash’s antics will elicit smiles from readers as he harasses the family cat, wreaks havoc with a stick, digs up the garden, and destroys shoes and clothes—all with a joyous grin. His capers are recounted in a rhyme and rhythm that both works and begs to be read aloud. The refrain, “Bad dog, Flash,” will have readers joining in. Paul’s used of varied perspectives ensures that Flash’s typical misbehaving-dog shenanigans are never anything but entertaining. The many reprimands the adorably confused Flash receives culminate in a despondent dog, but he is saved from gloom and despair by his human, who loves him even when he is disobedient. Paul scores extra comedic points with the cat, who is always pleased to see Flash get in trouble.
Pub Date: Oct. 7, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4926-0153-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: Aug. 19, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2014
Fun for one or two reads, but, unlike Cub, it probably won't have much staying power.
Free-spirited artwork with colors of psychedelic intensity smooths the rather fitful nature of this race through the jungle.
The animals are getting ready for the jungle run. There’s a hippopotamus, a rhinoceros, an elephant and other major players in the bestiary, so when “Cub turns up to take her place, / …the others say, ‘You’re too small to race.’ ” But the rhyming text is too light-hearted to throw much of a wet blanket on the proceedings, and the cub proves to be an adept at the various obstacles on the course, quickly pulling into the lead as the python and gazelle get tangled in the vine net. At the rope swing, Cub makes like a pendulum while Elephant misses altogether and falls in the creek. The others use his sizeable noggin as a stepping stone, which seems a little unsporting. At the waterslide, Cub is suddenly found riding Elephant’s back. Wasn’t Cub well in the lead, calling an inauspicious “You can’t catch me!” over her shoulder, as if tempting the Gingerbread Man’s fate? Cub does win the race through no fault of her own, and the whole event becomes a distant afterthought to Parker-Rees’ illustrations, with their cool jungle landscapes and radioactive colors. A joyful camaraderie closes the book, a welcome counterpoint to its earlier exclusivity, if another touch of randomness.
Fun for one or two reads, but, unlike Cub, it probably won't have much staying power. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: June 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-545-39256-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Orchard/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: March 6, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2012
An amusing and charming take on the lessons learned from sharing.
A dachshund struggles with sharing in this amiable tale.
“Peanut was an odd dog.” He does not care for bones; rather, he is obsessed with apples. His covetousness leads to paranoia, as he worries neighbor-dog Milo is plotting to steal his prized possessions. Playful, lino-cut print illustrations perfectly express the dogs’ personalities. In a series of panels, the artist showcases the silliness of Peanut’s suspicion as he comically attempts to save the juiciest of apples from an oblivious Milo. Strong silhouettes make the characters easily identifiable—Peanut is a classic wiener dog, while Milo has pear-shaped heft. Boldt also adroitly utilizes the limited palette of the medium. Earthy pastels and brilliant pops of color lend themselves to a contemporary, modern style. In the end, Peanut learns that Milo, like most dogs, only likes bones, emotionally freeing the pensive pup and opening up his world to friendship.
An amusing and charming take on the lessons learned from sharing. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: May 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-7358-4068-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: NorthSouth
Review Posted Online: March 27, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2012
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