DOGGONE FEET!

A smiling, spotted dog relates to her owners only through their legs and feet in this visually appealing but rather confusing story about a dog’s place in the world.

The unnamed dog narrates the rhyming text, beginning with the dog’s adoption as a stray when she is found in a park. The dog’s new owner is a kind, youngish man (judging by the footwear), called Legs by the dog. Soon, there is a feminine pair of feet in the house, called Toes, followed over time by children called Socks, Boots and Slippers. The dog attributes the people’s personalities and behavior to their legs and feet, as she apparently never makes eye contact or interacts with them face to face. The story tries hard to be funny but ultimately becomes confusing as the dog refers to the five people by their names. (“I wash up Legs’ hands with Toes in my hair.”) Bold illustrations on golden yellow backgrounds offer an amusing main character with expressive eyes. Additional zest is added with varied perspectives and lots of motion with all the feet dangling down from chairs or dancing around with the dog underfoot.

Alas, that perky pup can’t quite save the limping story, doggone it.