A Dog Named Doug

Doug is a dog who really likes to dig. He digs his way to Hollywood, the White House (where he tears through the floor of the Oval Office), a mummy's tomb, a mountain summit, Easter Island (where he accidentally knocks over a stone moai), and eventually finds himself--where else?--upside-down in China. A dog who loves to dig isn't the most original concept, but Myers's (Battle Bunny) creative, acrylic-and-oil-paint illustrations draw out the humor in Doug's adventures. The artwork frequently doubles as typography: mounds of dirt form the m's in "many miles of dirt" and "mounds of mud," and Doug's tunnels take the shape of various letters in the repeating refrain, "Oh boy, did Doug dig!" Wilson (Bear Snores On) maintains a light, playful tone with loose rhymes and lots of alliteration, making this a fun readaloud. And what does Doug do when he's been tucked into bed in his doghouse? He digs his way into his owners' bedroom, where he has colorful, surrealistic dreams of digging. Ages 4-8. Agent for both: Steven Malk, Writers House. (June)

PreS-Gr 1--Doug, the pup with a big goofy doggy grin, loves to dig. He digs for miles and miles in all directions. He makes big holes. He finds all sorts of treasures. He digs his way into the White House and far off lands. Frustrated, Doug's family scolds him and puts him in the doghouse, where he digs into the house and crawls into bed with his family. Acrylic-and--oil paint illustrations in bright colors with cartoonlike characters complement the variety of ways that Doug explores his obsession. Scenes of underground tunnels studded with whimsical details abound. Illustrations depicting Doug's head popping up aboveground in new lands offers the opportunity for conversational prompts. Just the right amount of text, sometimes standard typeset and sometimes a creative part of the illustrations make Doug's adventures immersive. Additionally, the prose contains both tongue-twisty alliterations and cleverly written rhymes. VERDICT As a picture book simply about a dog who digs, there is much for readers to see, hear, and take delight in, including an ending with an imaginative twist. All of these elements make this book a standout among goofy dog picture books.--Mindy Hiatt, Salt Lake County Library Services