My Father the Dog

The title, cover and opening sentence groom readers for this waggish tale. “My father pretends to be human, but I know he is really a dog. Consider the evidence.” Dad starts the day with a good scratch; fetches the newspaper; likes the windows down in the car; has used a tree for a pit stop; growls when startled out of a nap; chases a ball; loves snacks; he looks innocent when he “toots”; and thinks “we’re the best family in the world.” That’s a good thing, “ ’cause Mom says we can keep him.” The comical oil illustrations juxtapose dad and dog in synchronized behavior enacting each activity as they amusingly express the subtly underplayed scenes to a T. Even the typeface is called “SoupBone.” Tail-wagging hilarity that’s simply doggone funny—and a perfect Father’s Day gift. (Picture book. 4-7)

My father pretends to be human, but I know he is really a dog," begins bookseller Bluemle's appealingly flippant debut. Backing up her assertion, the girl narrator explains that, like her dog, her father fetches the newspaper, likes to ride in the car with the breeze on his face, and "growls when you startle him out of a nap." A couple of manners-bending comparisons will elicit snickers from kids, as parent and pooch (discreetly) use a tree "for a quick pit stop" and the two sit on the couch looking deceptively nonchalant as the youngster notes, "When he toots, he looks around the room like someone else did it." Depicting these human and canine characters in various parallel positions, the art comically captures the similarities between man and pet. Cecil ("And Here's to You!") nicely alters the pacing with oval-shaped illustrations that give way to full-bleed spreads (e.g., for "If you throw a ball, he'll chase after it," Dad and dog cover the backyard to make a catch), and his textured brushstrokes work effectively as blades of grass or as fibers on the couch. A final comment, which the girl makes while patting her father's head at bedtime, ends the book on a note at once sweet and sassy: "My father is loyal and thinks we're the best family in the world... which is good, 'cause Mom says we can keep him." Young dog lovers will lap this up. Ages 4-7. "(May)" Copyright 2006 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

PreS-Gr 3 -In this funny picture book, a young narrator shares her unusual concern: -My father pretends to be human, but I know he is really a dog. - She goes on to list the undeniable evidence: he likes a good scratch, growls when he is suddenly awakened from a nap, and when he toots, he looks around as if someone else were responsible. The illustration of the girl peeking under the dining table to see if he is begging for treats offers a clever shift in perspective. The clean, yet warm oil paintings are the perfect accompaniment to the understated and almost deadpan delivery, and they enhance the humor of this doggone good tale. It -s ideal for storytimes or one-on-one sharing." -Piper L. Nyman, formerly at Fairfield Civic Center Library, CA" Copyright 2006 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.