Book Bites: Cute Canines - Dogs in Picture Books
You either love ‘em or want to wipe
the floor with them… on behalf of your cat, but whatever your persuasion, there
is no denying animals, pets and in particular, dogs score high on the love-o-meter
with kids. Dogs, whether in anthropomorphic roles or as themselves, relay
stories with warmth and humour that is especially appealing for youngsters
because they often draw no differences between themselves and their pets. It’s
important to take advantage of this golden period of acceptance through
story-telling to better instil understanding and caring in kids. Plus, have a
laugh along the way. So here are this month’s recommendations of
doggie-orientated picture book tails tales. Cat lovers do not despair!
Felines will get their fair-go in soon!
Kaye Ballie and Tracie Grimwood have created a gentle, easy-to-share piece
of picture book loveliness that had this reader swiping away tears at the end.
Phoebe’s reading time anxieties mirror many her age. Her inability to
understand letters and words as well as her classmates undermines her
confidence and forces her to feign sickness for fear of getting things wrong. A
class excursion to the local dog shelter to read to the inmates (aka homeless
dogs) is at first confronting and daunting until Phoebe meets, Big Boo, a dog
used to being left behind, too. Thoughtful narrative and tender illustrations
spell out a story about facing ones fears and the qualities of unconditional
friendship whilst promoting the joy of sharing stories, no matter how well you
can read or not. A beautiful confidence booster for reluctant readers and those
who love books above dogs like Boo and Phoebe.
Title: Boo
Loves Books
Author: Kaye Ballie
Illustrator: Tracie Grimwood
Publisher: New Frontier Publishing, $24.99
Publication Date: May 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781922326027
For ages: 3 – 6
Type: Picture Book
Buy the
Book: New Frontier Publishing, Boomerang Books, Booktopia
Rather than ending in the dogs’
home, this story begins there, with the rescue of Louis, a scruffy, lovable
mutt, by the elderly Charlie Wintergreen. Charlie has a passion for blowing the
horn – trumpet. Louis, grateful to be by Charlie’s side, always adds his own
heart and soul to their musical sessions together, because as Charlie counsels
his best friend, it’s the only way to
play. But when Charlie and Louis are separated, Louis has to endure loss
and loneliness all over again. Carol Ann Martin’s
soothing narrative exudes warmth and sincerity, alongside Tull Suwannakit’s
divine water colour and ink illustrations. Heart
and Soul bolsters the benefits of tenacity, loyalty, friendship and animal
companions through the magical connective qualities of music.
Title: Heart
and Soul
Author: Carol Ann Martin
Illustrator: Tull Suwannakit
Publisher: Scholastic Press, $24.99
Publication Date: February 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781742999920
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture Book
Buy the
Book: Boomerang Books, Booktopia, Dymocks
To balance happy beginnings, life sometimes
involves sad endings. Devon Sillett and Nicky Johnston’s Saying Goodbye to Barkley suffuses perfect amounts of reality with emotion as Super Olivia, aka the Amazing Barkley’s
little girl and partner in mystery solving, learns to face life without her
faithful sidekick. The loss of Barkley is crushing. Olivia is too sad to eat or
sleep. The dog-shaped hole in her heart is a pain many young children will find
familiar; the ache of loss, a feeling they will recognise but are still too
young to overcome. Fortunately, Olivia has a brilliant idea that rescues not
only her happiness but that of someone else’s who needs it just as much as she.
This tale is as comforting as a puppy’s slurpy kiss. Touching narrative embraces
Johnston’s trademark watercolour images like a warm hug providing little
readers with much to search for and enjoy. Apart from the obvious themes of
loss and grieving, this doggy infused tale encourages goodwill, acceptance and
the promotion of helping others in need, namely homeless animals!
Title: Saying
Goodbye to Barkley
Author: Devon Sillett
Illustrator: Nicky Johnston
Publisher: EK Books, $24.99
Publication Date: March 2019
Format: Hardback (Paperback February 2020)
ISBN: 9781925335965
For ages: 4 – 8
Type: Picture Book
Buy the
Book: EK Books, Boomerang Books, Booktopia
Mutual dog lovers and artists extraordinaires, Kate
DiCamillo and Harry
Bliss partnered for this gorgeous graphic picture
book that is told in parts akin to chapters. Rosie, a small dog of fox terrier
appearance, lives with Georgie, her able bodied human. Rosie is a good dog. Her
life is ordered and satisfying but sometimes Rosie feels inexplicably lonely and
yearns for more. She loves George but
their points of view don’t often match the way Rosie would like. Then one day
on their walk together through the dog park, Rosie encounters two canine
characters who challenge Rosie’s sense of comfort and self. This tale is a
beautifully executed analogy of friendship and letting go of inhibitions told
from a dog’s point of view, well three dogs if you include the comical
additions of Fifi and Maurice. It illustrates that sometimes the best
friendships take time to nurture and that daring to step out of your comfort
zone and invite others into your life can be great fun. Friendship comes in all
shapes and sizes, just like pooches! Good Rosie!
encourages open-mindedness and open-heartedness and is perfect for dog lovers
and those anxious about making friends.
Title: Good
Rosie!
Author: Kate DiCamillo
Illustrator: Harry Bliss
Publisher: Walker Books, $24.99
Publication Date: October 2019
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781406383577
For ages: 4+
Type: Graphic Picture Book
Buy the
Book: Walker Books Australia, Boomerang Books, Booktopia
Once again the remarkable Maree
Coote has cobbled together a picture book of extreme brilliance.
Dogography is far from
your average non-fiction ABC compilation. It isn’t your typical droll
collection of dog breeds either. This is letter
art; an inventive and ingenious look-and-find adventure that will fascinate
young and old alike. Coote cleverly crafts each canine illustration using
nothing but the letters of their breed hence the Maltese is a frothy little
character pieced together with swirling Ms and Ls. Character faithful fonts
create individual funk and style encouraging readers to analyse and assimilate
art in the most unique way. Each breed shares snippets of themselves in
accompanying speech bubbles that add lightness and literary value to this
utterly absorbing collection. The disappointment felt by the exclusion of my
favourite dog of all – the Border Collie – was lessened by a mention in the Clever Kids Teachers’ Notes at the back
of the book. All the breeds depicted are listed here along with a brief note
about typography and fonts. Dogography is an absolute must in classrooms and the gift
baskets of dog lovers.
Title: Dogography:
The Amazing World of Letter Art Dogs
Author Illustrator: Maree Coote
Publisher: Melbourne Style Books, $29.99
Publication Date: June 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780648568414
For ages: 5+
Type: Non Fiction Picture Book
Buy the
Book: Melbourne Style Books, Booktopia, Boomerang Books, Walker Books Australia
To ask a child to describe their best friend can
result in a simplified list of likes and dislikes often mimicking their own.
This picture book is not so much a story as one of those lists that beautifully
describes one little girl’s best friend, Barney the dog. Stephen Michael King’s
colourful illustrations fill each page with whimsy and light as we explore
Barney’s average day and his insatiable appetite through Jinks’s lilting rhyming verse. Barney will try anything that fits
in his mouth and is the children’s favourite companion during playtime,
mealtimes, bath times and snuggle times. High spirited, fun and deliciously
relatable, Barney is
a mutt you’ll easily love and pays beautiful homage to the significance dogs
make to our lives.
Title: Barney
Author: Catherine Jinks
Illustrator: Stephen Michael King
Publisher: Scholastic Press, $17.99
Publication Date: July 2018
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781742996226
For ages: 3 – 7
Type: Picture Book
Buy the
Book: Boomerang Books, Booktopia
There is the slightest whiff of
stereotypical characterisation in this allegorical tale of friendship that
thankfully dissipates as the story fans into a delightful anthropomorphic look
at societal issues. Tina and Sid are not particularly warm and fuzzy types in
the beginning. They bully and bluster their way through the neighbourhood quite
oblivious to the fearful image they create because they are the Bad Bassinis. After they happen upon a
pint-sized homeless puppy full of sass but in need of some TLC, Sid and Tina’s
dirty-dog demeanours begin to deteriorate. Conversely, respect for them and
community acceptance rise. The humour portrayed through Hume’s text and Jellett’s
crazy, cartoonesque canine stylings, tells a deeper tale about emotions,
family, loyalty and the affect responsibility has on one’s character; all those
great qualities dogs possess in spades. This is a story parents will gain a
giggle from as much as children.
Title: The
Bad Bassinis
Author: Clair Hume
Illustrator: Tom Jellett
Publisher: Scholastic Press, $17.99
Publication Date: February 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781760663377
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book
Buy the
Book: Boomerang Books, Booktopia, Dymocks
For the sheer fun of it, Pig
the Tourist is worth embarking on. Everyone’s favourite pompous pug is
back and on the carrousel of fun as he visits a number of well-known holiday
destinations. Exuberant illustrations and natty rhyming text entertain and appal
as we witness Pig drag his exaggerated self-opinion across the country and
back. Havoc is wrecked and poor Trevor is Pig’s usual patsy to his vile insolence.
There’s not much divergence from the well-loved formula of
absurdly-greedy-dog-meets-his-just-desserts, but it is undeniable entertainment
for fans of this pretentious pooch.
Title: Pig
The Tourist
Author / Illustrator: Aaron Blabey
Publisher: Scholastic Press, $17.99
Publication Date: July 2019
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781742994123
For ages: 4 – 7
Type: Picture Book
Buy the
Book: Boomerang
Books, Booktopia, Scholastic
Kids
Visit again soon for my feisty feline
instalment of Book Bites. Meow!
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