This Book Just Ate My Dog!

Bella's dog disappears into this book's gutter, and each offer of help (from a boy, the police, the fire brigade) also disappears. "I'll just have to sort this out myself," Bella says and follows everyone into the gutter. A note invites readers to get involved: a few shakes releases the victims, and all is (mostly) well. Cartoon illustrations and a succinct text build dramatic humor.

Opening pages hint that this book will be "naughty" before the story begins -- and then Bella's dog disappears into the gutter on their "stroll across the page." As the pages turn, Bella can only stand on each right-hand page and gape as every offer of help (from a boy named Ben, a rescue vehicle, the police, and the fire brigade) also disappears into the gutter. "I'll just have to sort this out myself, thought Bella," and she follows everyone into that ominous crack in the center of the book. ("BURP!") Fortunately, Bella isn't gone long before a note falls out of the gutter inviting readers to get involved. Turning the book and giving it a good shake or two releases the gutter's victims, and all is well except for some lingering humorous trouble with the right-hand pages. Cartoon illustrations in reds and blues and a succinct text work together in an effective design, building the dramatic humor. An illustrator's aim is to keep important parts of the story out of a picture book's gutter, and this funny, interactive book is a superbly self-aware -- in more ways than one -- exemplar of what not to do. julie roach