Dogs and Their People

PreS-Gr 2--On days when the sun is shining, a young girl enjoys taking the long way home from school and observing all of the people walking with their dogs. Her observations are keen and telling: some dog and owner duos are young, while some are very old; some are strikingly similar, while other pairs couldn't be more different. Some pass their time making art, sharing ice cream, selling hotdogs, making music, or donning nearly matching mustaches. Overall, the perceptive young girl notes that she can always tell the dogs and their people are best friends, but, regardless of how many sets she sees, she's most excited about getting home to be with her pet. Lambelet's vintage-style digitally rendered pencil and watercolor illustrations will appeal to children and grown-ups alike. The intricate details penciled in blues and browns provide a rich complement to the straightforward story line, and work to feature the young narrator on her way home in her red plaid dress. VERDICT A visually appealing book about people and their pets that will fare well as a read-aloud or for one-on-one sharing.--Brianne Colombo, Fairfield Free Public Library, NJ

A girl observing human and canine companions as she meanders through a posh neighborhood comes to the obvious conclusion that "some dogs and their people look alike, and others could not be more different," but "everyone somehow seems to have found their perfect match." Lambelet (Maria the Matador) conveys this conceit in sophisticated yet spare watercolor, pencil, and digital art featuring subtle patterns, a cubist flair, and a cool palette against which the young narrator's rose-hued coat pops. Droll, playfully exaggerated images underscore the likenesses and dissimilarities in the pets' and owners' physical appearances and deportment. Dapper Lord Banberry, wearing a bowler and smoking a pipe, sports a bushy mustachio and an entitled aura that rival those of his schnauzer; on another spread, a haughty, stout woman holds the leash of her quivering, scrawny pup. Occasionally, Lambelet moves beyond physical attributes and attitudes, capturing endearing shared moments: a woman reads a book on an outdoor bench while her dog peruses a newspaper beside her, and a boy and corgi (wearing identical sailor hats) simultaneously lick an ice cream cone. A leisurely paced, diverting stroll through town. Ages 4-8. Agent: Stephanie Fretwell-Hill, Red Fox Literary. (June)