THE ODD DOG

A friendly dog with unique talents discovers the joy of being loved for just being herself in Barrett’s picture book.

Before winding up at the animal shelter, an unnamed dog has made friends with—and has essentially been raised by—the animals around her. The birds taught her to “fly” (with wings made of leaves); the fish, how to swim (with snorkeling gear); and the squirrels, how to climb (“Sort of”). But when the dog shows her new adoptive parents all her talents, it simply comes across as destructive—she knocks over potted plants, swims in the fish tank, and destroys dinner while attempting to climb the tablecloth. Instead of getting mad, her loving mom and dad introduce her to a dog park where she can show off her skills any time she wants. It’s then she realizes that it’s “not always easy being an odd dog. But it helps when you find where you belong.” McKeon’s bright watercolors bring the dog’s whimsical world to life. Many of the four-legged creatures are slightly anthropomorphized; a four-page spread shows dogs at play in the park in unexpected ways—including holding a parasol while relaxing in a pool. Barrett’s prose remains light and comical even while addressing profound themes of love, acceptance, and adoption. The interplay between the text and illustrations draws out the best in both, resulting in a well-rounded story that is also a delight for the eyes.

Irresistibly adorable illustrations and heartwarming humor.