Zoo Breath

December 1, 2010

Gr 3-5-Calvin Coconut investigates the severity of canine odors for his elementary school assignment. He's convinced his mother will force him to give up his beloved smelly dog and hopes to justify her odiferous existence. The innovative child tries numerous tactics to minimize the dog's smell, including brushing those doggie teeth with a toothbrush unknowingly donated by Calvin's high-strung teenage babysitter. The overload of bathroom humor will elicit numerous "ewws" and gags along the way, but the fourth grader also demonstrates a fledgling maturity as he struggles to relate to his absentee father. The Hawaiian landscape provides a unique angle, and supportive adult characters encourage Calvin as he juggles classroom expectations with family relationships. Punchy dialogue relies on regional slang to reflect the school-centered dynamics. Rogers's liberal black-and-white drawings utilize shading and nimble lines to support each lively chapter. This latest entry relies heavily on the "ick" factor and combines gross-out humor with a bit of heart.-Meg Smith, Cumberland County Public Library, Fayetteville, NC

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