Frannie and Pickles

My granddaughter loves it. She has had me read it to her dozens of times. She loves finding the 'hidden' pictures.

Preston McClear¿s story of an eccentric woman and her dog¿s change-of-places is clever and fun, but what really sends this book over the top are Nicholas Dollak¿s intricate, subtle, and humorously subversive illustrations. ¶ Children will love the fantastic nature of Dollak¿s images ¿ from Frannie¿s high-piled hair (and the like-shaped scarf and nightcap with which she covers it) to the unusual collage of materials used to decorate her home¿s walls. Even more pleasing are the numerous ¿easter egg¿ details planted in the peripheries of the pages ¿ the mice that rule the cat, the flag-waving lizards at the imaginary race, the recurring planes and birds in flight, and much more. Even very young children will enjoy playing ¿what¿s that?¿ or ¿where¿s the ladybug?¿ with Dollak¿s detailed, colorful pictures. ¶ The story of Frannie¿s relationship with her dog Pickles will appeal to young ones as an engaging, silly story of role-reversal; those children who¿ve taken a turn at the family pet¿s water dish will no doubt find a certain amount of confirmation here. At the same time, older children will find valuable underlying social ideals, such as treating others as you¿d like to be treated, and imaging yourself in someone else¿s place, all couched in a clever and engaging context. ¶ Did I mention the pipe smoking, hat-wearing squirrels? Story: 4 stars, illustrations: 6 stars.