The Best Days Are Dog Days

Starred review from March 28, 2016
In Take Me Out to the Yakyu (2012), Meshon used visual parallels to explore the similarities and differences between baseball in the U.S. and Japan. In this story, ebulliently narrated by a family's charcoal gray bulldog, he brings a similar symmetry to the day-to-day rituals and activities of the dog and his human "Sis." Bold, hand-lettered typography gives Meshon's posterlike acrylic paintings even greater impact. When readers first see the girl and dog, they are sharing a bed, their zzzzzs entwined like ribbons, emphasizing their cuddly mutual adoration. Later in the day, side-by-side extreme close-ups of their faces highlight the tooth-brushing aspect of their bedtime routines ("minty!" toothpaste for her, "beefy!" for him). In between, there are meals with Mom and Dad, squirrels to chase in the park, and even "time for a potty break" ("Mom helps Sis inside. Dad helps me outside") during an outing. Full of humorous, true-to-life details, it's a joyful story of a dog-loving family (and a family-loving dog) that's assured on every level: graphic, verbal, and emotional. Ages 3â5. Agent: Rubin Pfeffer, Rubin Pfeffer Content.

Starred review from February 1, 2016
A French bulldog narrates a simple but charming story about the activities of his day with a parallel look at similar behavior by his human companion, Sis. The dog and the preschool-aged girl are sleeping in bed together as the day dawns, with ribbons of ZZZZs entwined around them to emphasize their somnolent state. Bold, stylized illustrations in neon-bright colors use simple shapes, varied type treatments, and creative labeling to show the differences and similarities in the actions of canine and child. Some spreads illustrate the dog and girl meeting needs in similar but slightly different ways (breakfast or bathtime). In others, both enjoy the same feeling or experience in the same way (such as getting soaked in a fountain or chasing a squirrel). The placement of the girl on left-hand pages and the dog on the right works effectively with the spare, structured text, allowing young preschoolers to see clearly what is alike and what is different with this devoted pair of pals. There's a surprising amount of drama and humor packed in just a few pages, including a potty break for Sis with her mom and a gently funny stop at a handy tree for the dog. Sis and her parents are white, but there are children of color playing in the park. When the duo brush their teeth, the spread has just two words in gigantic type: "MINTY! / BEEFY!" That sums it up: a dog story with a fresh approach and something with solid flavor to chew on. (Picture book. 2-5)

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April 1, 2016

PreS-Gr 1-A dog describes a typical day in this brightly illustrated tale. Pup is clearly a member of the family and so refers to his humans as "Mom," "Dad," and "Sis." Most of the spreads depict what Sis is doing on the left and what Pup does on the right with hilarious results. For example, when the text reads, "Time for a Potty Break," the illustrations reflect Mom helping Sis inside a coffee shop while Dad helps Pup find a nice tree. The vivid acrylic illustrations and hand-lettering elevate this picture book to more than a general purchase. VERDICT Perfect for all libraries with dog-loving patrons.-Brooke Newberry, La Crosse Public Library, WI

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2016
A sturdy-looking French bulldog, clearly a beloved member of the family, narrates this story of a day spent with his humans -- Sis, Mom, and Dad. The day begins with dog and Sis asleep in bed together ( ZZZZZZZ ). The friends/siblings wake, eat breakfast, and then head outside. Each makes a friend, Sis at the playground and our narrator at the dog park ( Hello! Hello! / Sniff! Sniff! ). Together pup and Sis chase a squirrel, separately they take potty breaks, and then the whole family rides to the market -- on a three-seat tandem bike, bulldog napping in a basket up front. After dinner, it's time for a bath, then brushing teeth ( Minty! / Beefy! ), and finally, a story (for Sis) and a belly rub (for guess who). As in Meshon's Take Me Out to the Yakyu (rev. 3/13), the page design makes clever use of the gutter, with Sis appearing on one side and her dog on the other, either in a single spread or in two facing illustrations. The acrylic paintings are saturated with bright colors, and the frequent dialogue balloons feature witty lettering ( RISE AND SHINE! in yellow and orange 3D letters resembling sun rays; WE STRETCH! in elongated letters; We love getting SOAKED! in watery bubble writing). As Sis and dog fall asleep nose to snout, the shared thought bubble above reads, We can't wait for tomorrow! Young listeners, too, won't want to wait long for another dog day with this pair. jennifer m. brabander The House That Zack Built by Alison Murray; illus. by the author Preschool Candlewick 32 pp. 2/16 978-0-7636-7844-9 $16.99 Playing on the traditional nursery rhyme, this farm-set version kicks off with young Zack (last seen in Hickory Dickory Dog, rev. 9/14) building a house with blocks until a fly comes along and upsets the whole apple-cart. This is the cat / that stalked the fly / that BUZZED on by, / over the house that Zack built. In pursuit, the cat knocks over the cream, which spills on the dog, who scatters the lambs, leaving the farm in complete disarray. Through it all, the fly's playful flight-line carries viewers on a wild path from page to page. This version drops the cumulative repetition of the original rhyme, but the spirited rhythm holds true throughout. Bold digital art in warm colors depicts a friendly farm on which Zack, oblivious to the mayhem, continues to build his creation. When he finally looks up from his miraculously undisturbed blocks and sees the state of the farm, he sets about putting things in order and sending that pesky fly on its way. This gives the cat, the dog, and viewers a final chance to stop and admire the house that Zack built -- a miniature version of the farm's red barn. julie roach

(Copyright 2016 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)