My Dog, Bob

A simple, humorous story; clean page design; and charming, cartoon-style illustrations combine for an appealing book that is good for both beginning readers and read alouds. Kids will chuckle at the understated descriptions of Bob's talents, accompanied by images that tell a different story. In early spreads, the page turn is used to great effect: one spread shows Bob's owner offering his dog a bowl ("Like all dogs, Bob loves breakfast."). After turning the page, the illustration reveals Bob cracking an egg in the bowl, cooking breakfast-a speech bubble announces: "Eggs for Jeff. Pancakes for Mom and Dad. Ham for me." Later spreads include "Bob likes to play with a ball" (putting on the golf course) and "he likes to dig for bones" (an archaeological exhumation of an Apatosaurus bone.) The importance of accepting individual strengths is gently shown in a funny and relatable scene in which Bob and his owner encounter a braggart and her show-off dog.

Bob's young owner knows that his pet is special: "Like many dogs, Bob loves to ride in the car...especially when he's driving." But a young neighbor, unaware of Bob's exceptionalism, insists that her dog is superior because Bob can't do "dog" things like catch a stick. Like the text, the illustrations are clean and economical, leaving room for the humor to percolate.