My Dream Dog

September 5, 2016
A boy shows off everything he knows about his dog, Scooter, before contemplating what the animal thinks about as he dreams. Working in watercolor, Howard (the Mr. Putter & Tabby series) uses rough, smudgy strokes of black to outline his characters; in the case of Scooter, the effect suggests a dog who’s almost always on the move. “I know what makes him wag his tail,” says the boy as arrows point to a hamburger (“people food”) and a pair of canine friends, “his pals Betty and Bruno.” It’s clear that when Scooter is awake, the brown-and-white pup has two things on the mind: food and play. But there’s no consensus regarding the dog’s dreams. The child’s father guesses that Scooter dreams about car rides, his brother proposes that Scooter “dreams of chasing things” (said things include a letter carrier, turtle, and no fewer than three squirrels), and Grandpa has the best idea of all: “Maybe Scooter dreams about you.” It’s a light, breezy story, but the joy and love the boy feels for his scruffy pet come through loud and clear. Up to age 8.

A boy wonders what his dog dreams about.A little white boy introduces readers to his dog, Scooter, whom the boy knows well. He knows what make Scooter's tail wag: treats, people food, squeaky toys, and his dog friends--all labeled on one double-page spread. The things that make Scooter growl are similarly presented. The little boy continues chronicling what he knows about Scooter: words Scooter knows, when Scooter's thirsty, and when he's scared, etc., but the one thing the little boy doesn't know is what Scooter dreams about. This seems natural to wonder about, but the answer that satisfies the little boy--him--feels a little forced, as is the sudden appearance of the character (his grandfather, who's fishing) who provides it. With most characters (both child and adult) referenced only in the text, and the backgrounds up until the end of the book either basic washes or generic places (home, school, etc.) it seems especially odd to see an adult engaged in a very specific activity. Additionally, the proffered answer seems arbitrary. Perhaps best known for his illustrations of the Mr. Putter and Tabby and Gooseberry Park series, Howard's human characters' stylized faces make the dogs stand out as both expressive and delightful, while the hand-lettered text and child narration complement each other. Certainly an ode to dog lovers, the conclusion may leave readers perplexed. (Picture book. 4-7) COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

August 1, 2016

PreS-Gr 2-A young boy speculates about the dream life of his dog, Scooter. The nameless narrator knows just what makes his canine companion tick, and he fills readers in, expounding on Scooter's likes and dislikes and what the dog's behavior signifies. But when it comes to what the pooch dreams about, the boy is stumped. His friends and family weigh in. Maybe Scooter dreams about chasing things, suggests the boy's big brother. Perhaps he fantasizes about going to school, says the boy's friend. The narrator's grandpa offers a predictable yet sweet guess, and the tale ends on this tender moment. The watercolors have a gentle, old-fashioned feel; with their thick lines and soothing, homey scenes, these cartoon images are reminiscent of Howard's illustrations for Cynthia Rylant's "Mr. Putter and Tabby" books. The childlike scrawl of the text is particularly endearing. The story is light on action but high on the adorable factor. Lovably scruffy Scooter, his tongue lolling, his head cocked to one side, is irresistible; he and his boy are a winsome pair. The simple text, presented in a large font against white space, may appeal to beginning readers. VERDICT A delightful choice for pet-themed storytimes, as well as for animal lovers making their first forays into independent reading.-Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2016
Preschool-G A boy introduces his dog, Scooter, saying I know a lot about him. For instance, he knows what makes his dog's tail wag, what makes him growl, and why he hides under a chair during a thunderstorm. He recognizes several signs that his dog wants to play, and he can even tell when Scooter is dreaming. But what does he dream about? Food, says Mom. Riding in the car, says Dad. Grandpa's suggestion is the very best: Maybe Scooter dreams about you. The simple, direct text reads aloud well and acts as a springboard for the abundant energy and charm of the bold black-line-and-watercolor illustrations. Some include words (fleas, Aunt Gladys) labeling parts of pictures, while others have speech balloons or dog sounds, but the focal point of almost every scene is Scooter himself, looking a bit goofy but lovable with his floppy ears, flapping tongue, and a brown spot encircling one eye. Howard, best known for illustrating the Mr. Putter and Tabby series, perfectly captures canine postures and expressions in this satisfying picture book.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)