★ 08/08/2016
A shaggy dog, gray and white with a spot over one eye, is snoozing on the kitchen floor. “Old dog dreams/ old dog twitches,” writes Fogliano (When Green Becomes Tomatoes). “Old paw scratches/ old ear itches.” In crawls a towheaded baby with bright pink cheeks, who throws back its head in delight when the dog proffers a sloppy kiss. They settle down for a co-nap, “old dog/ baby baby/ dreaming on the/ kitchen floor.” There’s another story underway, as well: the baby and dog are observed by an older sibling, who has been looking at photographs of the dog’s puppyhood. Two women appear on the margins of the scenes, and a photograph reveals that all the characters are a family. Raschka’s (The Death of the Hat) watercolor images—with their soft textures, intimate framings, and big, gentle shapes—have just the right mix of joy and melancholy. We can’t stop the passage of time, Fogliano and Raschka seem to say, but we are fortunate in our loving relationships, each transcendent in its own way. Ages 2–6. Author’s agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. Illustrator’s agent: Brenda Bowen, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. (Oct.)
"We can’t stop the passage of time, Fogliano and Raschka seem to say, but we are fortunate in our loving relationships, each transcendent in its own way."—Publishers Weekly, starred
"Tender, joyous, and altogether wonderful."— Kirkus Reviews, starred
"In a word, charming."—Booklist, starred review
"Great for preschool storytime or for one-on-one sharing."—School Library Journal, starred review
"A charming little cuddlefest, this will appeal to youngsters who have their own pets and youngsters who wish they did."—Bulliten of the Center for Children's Books, starred review
★ 09/01/2016
PreS-K—Those privileged to have known a mild-mannered dog, a martyr to baby love, a dog that will withstand any annoyance from an infant and still adore him, will appreciate this sweet story told in verse. Fogliano's spare, pitch-perfect rhymes capture the joyful meeting between a blond-haired diapered baby and a shaggy dog on the kitchen floor. Simple rhymes create the mood: "Baby hurry/baby wiggle/'puppy! puppy!'/baby giggle." The exploration is mutual: "Old dog sniffs/with old dog nose/baby fingers/baby toes" until they are down for the count, sleeping flat out on the floor. Raschka's illustrations add hilarity and an additional layer to the narrative. He includes different legs and shoes on the periphery of the page, and readers can guess who is entering and who is leaving the kitchen. The illustrator mirrors the minimalist verse with his simple brushstrokes of watery oranges, blues, and greens. VERDICT Great for preschool storytime or for one-on-one sharing.—Teresa Pfeifer, The Springfield Renaissance School, MA
★ 2016-07-20
Love and trust abound between a patient, old family dog and a very young baby.The kitchen floor is the old dog’s place of comfort. But here comes the crawling baby, and it’s playtime. Giggling, poking, rolling, and sharing lots of sloppy kisses, they have a wonderful time. All that activity wears them out, and they snuggle together for a much-needed nap right there under the kitchen table. Fogliano chooses words with great care, creating the sparest of text to form very brief lines of verse in the immediate present tense that describe “old dog” and “baby baby” and their every action and the sounds they make, employing a fast-paced, bouncy, singsong beat. The nearly black, very large type is set against a stark white background, surrounded by brightly hued illustrations in Raschka’s signature style. The blond, chubby, rosy-cheeked, white baby and the gray-and-white furry dog are evoked in soft, thick outline, their movements and emotions effortlessly expressed. Furniture and household items are sharply defined, giving dimension to the setting. Glimpses of mother and big sister as they peruse a photo album and lovingly observe the baby and dog add layers and richness to the proceedings. Text and pictures are seamlessly complementary and interdependent, and little ones and their grown-ups will laugh with delight. Tender, joyous, and altogether wonderful. (Picture book. 2-6)
