We don't know who it is who tells us that they love dogs, well not to start with, but the narrator is adamant. They love big dogs and small dogs – and we see a glorious Great Dane, all legs and inquisitive face with a delicate Chihuahua nestled between his paws. You don't know who will have the best of it but that Chihuahua looks pretty fearsome.
| Dogs by Emily Gravett | |
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| Category: For Sharing | |
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Reviewer: Sue Magee
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| Summary: This is the perfect book for any adult or child who loves dogs - or who learn to! A gentle story with a neat twist in the tail will stand the test of time. It's highly recommended for the two-to-a-hundred-and-two age group. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 32 | Date: February 2009 |
| Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-0230704220 | |
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It isn't just size that matters. Our narrator loves stroppy dogs and soppy dogs – and if that Bichon Frise doesn't stop rolling on its back and looking submissive I think the bulldog is going to be even more annoyed. Real dogs do not behave like that!
I parted company when the narrator said that he liked dogs that bark as that's one of my pet hates. My own Rhodesian Ridgebacks bark when there's something urgent that requires attention. They'd certainly be in sympathy with the Saluki in the picture – and his friend who has his paws over his ears!
And so we see all the things that dogs do and are – they love playing with (also known as destroying) toys, some are hairy – and despite all the hair that they shake off and leave around they never seem to have any less on their bodies – whilst others are virtually bald and have to wear a sweater when it's cold. Perhaps the best contrast is between the scruffy dog, just emerging from an overturned dustbin with an old fish head in his mouth and the smart dog – a pink poodle wearing a red collar and bows in her hair. (Note to poodle – consider a different colour combination next time, darling. Red is so aging on you.)
I think you've got the picture, haven't you? Well, you have to a certain extent, but I have the advantage of the beautiful pencil and watercolour drawings by Emily Gravett. It isn't just that I wouldn't mind having one of these pictures on the wall – I would kill to have the picture of the Great Dane where I could see it on a regular basis. Each breed is captured with affection and in sufficient detail to be instantly recognisable. There's a gem on every page and despite the apparent simplicity of the drawings it's surprising how there's something new each time you look.
Like some of the dogs there's a twist in the tail. I'm not going to tell you what it is but all will be clear as to why there's such fondness for dogs. Here at Bookbag we screeched with laughter the first time we read the book, but any child is going to enjoy the build up, even when they know what's going to happen.
I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to The Bookbag.
If you want your child to nag you to get a dog then there's no better book than this, but if you'd prefer that they tried to persuade you to get a cat then you should make the acquaintance of Posy. For another book with a surprise ending have a look at Emily Gravett's The Odd Egg – I annoy people by insisting that they look through it when we see it in book shops.
Dogs by Emily Gravett is in the Top Ten Books For Dog Lovers.
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