Dog Wants to Play

September 1, 2009
PreS-KIn this charming and simply told story, Dog approaches the farm's kitten, lamb, hare, chick, pig, and calf, who all give excuses as to why they cannot play ball with him. "'I don't dare, ' says the hare. 'I'm too easy to scare.'" Dog looks utterly dejected, his head resting forlornly on a blue, starred ball, when he sees a pair of hands out of the corner of his eye. They belong to a little boy, who is ready to play "All day!" Full of life, the paintings capture the personalities of the animals, especially Dog, who exhibits expressions from hopeful excitement to sadness to joy. This is a good addition to farm-themed storytimes, especially because it is so subtle in its locale, focusing entirely on the endearing brown-and-white pup with floppy ears."Lisa Gangemi Kropp, Half Hollow Hills Community Library, Dix Hills, NY"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2009
Preschool-K One look at the appealing cover will entice the reader to join the perky, brown and white puppy, whose paw rests upon a big blue ball and whose expression clearly telegraphs his desire: its time to play, and now! Told in intermittent rhyme (Im too small, says the chick. Find another to pick), the story involves a series of barnyard animals turning down the puppys offer: the kitten declines, the lamb is too shy, the pig wants to dig, the calf just laughs, and so on. Poor Dog. But waittheres one more to ask. Yes, says the child, I love to be wild. Ill play. . . . All day! Textured, sun-kissed painted images put bounce into the simple story and capture Dogs realistic body poses. Preschoolers will understand Dogs dilemma, and on a second reading, sharp eyes will catch glimpses of the boy in the background of the scenes leaving clues to the perfect playmate.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)