Floaty

A.N. Kang's gravity-defying cat Papillon gets some competition in Himmelman's irresistible tale of a floating dog who wins over a reluctant caregiver. Mr. Raisin, a grumpy old man who spends his days sewing, utters his favorite word ("blah") when he finds a basket on his doorstep. Inside is a black-and-white pup who promptly floats up to the ceiling. After catching the dog, Mr. Raisin is about to release him outside when he realizes, "You'll just float away, won't you?" Mr. Raisin gradually warms to the pet he names Floaty ("You'll probably need water, too," he says, using a garden hose to get the job done) and is devastated when the dog sails away after his leash snaps during a walk. Vividly colored and outlined in thick strokes of black, Himmelman's bold cartoons should draw plenty of laughs as he tracks the evolution of this unconventional human-pet relationship. Even the alarming sequence in which Floaty soars off into the distance is balanced by funny moments, as when the dog swoops down to snag some pizza from an unsuspecting delivery man. Anything but blah. Ages 4-8. (Jan.)

PreS-Gr 2--Mr. Raisin is a grouchy old misanthrope who doesn't like anything but sewing. When he discovers a basket at his front door containing a puppy, he is not amused. To add insult to injury, this is no ordinary animal but a floating one; in fact, this pooch never touches the ground. Realizing he can't just kick it outside (the puppy would simply float away) he begrudgingly brings it into his home. What follows are hilarious scenes of Mr. Raisin trying to feed it by tossing cornflakes in the air, blasting a hose at the ceiling for the dog to drink, and even cleverly tying a leash to his umbrella to go on "walks." Soon this pup charms Mr. Raisin and he decides to keep him and names him Floaty. Calamity ensues when Floaty's leash snaps during a morning walk and he soars far away from his newfound home. Readers see the anguish this causes the old curmudgeon and are also treated to some amusing antics of Floaty surviving out in the world. A happy ending prevails when Mr. Raisin expertly sews a hot air balloon for himself and rescues his beloved pet. VERDICT With just the right mixture of humor and pathos, Himmelman delivers a visually delightful tale that will beguile young audiences. Pair this with A.N. Kang's Papillon for a storytime filled with adorable floating animals sure to please.--Amy Nolan, St. Joseph Public Library, MI

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