Maggi and Milo Make New Friends

May 1, 2016
In their second outing, Maggi and her huge dog, Milo, visit a park where they make three new friends.Maggi, a white girl with glasses and cowgirl boots, is taken to the park by her mother, who wants her daughter to make some friends other than her dog. The small park doesn't allow dogs inside, so the mom sits outside on a bench next to Milo. Maggi meets a Latino boy named Antonio Carlos Enrique III (Ace for short), a redheaded white girl in a tutu named Sarah, and a black girl named Sydney, who (inexplicably) calls herself Amelia Earhart. They play together for a while and then decide to walk the dog. Maggi requests seven items (ranging from dandelions to sparkly rocks to acorns) to be collected from around the park as payment for dog-walking privileges. The children take turns walking Milo (outside the park gate), and the group then uses the collected natural items in further play, with two of the friends kindly teaching Maggi how to make something new. The morally questionable notion of charging newly acquired friends for the privilege of walking the dog is never addressed. While the plot is rather ho-hum, the story is told in an energetic, clever tone, and the digitally produced illustrations have a fluid appeal, with scratchy ink outlines and a loose, breezy style that lends immediacy to the overall effort. The cast of cute kids illustrated with large heads and skinny appendages is clearly positioned for more entries in the series.Perhaps next time Maggi and Milo will learn about the golden rule. (Picture book. 4-7)

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June 1, 2016

K-Gr 1-Maggi and her dog Milo are back, and this time they are expanding their crew. Maggi is skeptical to say the least when her mom takes her to the park "because it's Tuesday and the sun is shining and you might make a new friend." Why would she need a new friend when she has Milo-"Mammals of all Mammals, the Hercules of Dogs?" Worse yet, dogs are not allowed on the playground. Despite this, Maggi decides to give it a try: "Milo, I'm going in!" As readers may have anticipated, much fun ensues, as Maggi and her new pals play hide-and-seek and tag, swing, sing, and, of course, walk Milo. Well, they walk Milo once the appropriate price is paid in the form of numerous found nature objects (dandelions, sparkly rocks, roly-poly bugs, etc.). Then, in a surprising twist, Maggi thanks her mom for taking her to the park. Brenning's text is spot-on, and there are several amusing asides. It is ably supported by Burris's watercolor digital artwork, which depicts great facial expressions, just enough detail, and a refreshingly multicultural group of playmates. VERDICT Brenning has penned another winner. This is a charming selection with a great message to boot.-Catherine Callegari, Formerly at Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

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