WAG A TAIL

Ehlert’s distinctive collage style works to great advantage in this strikingly simple story about a group of doggie pals, all graduates of the Bow Wow School. The crowd of canines, all wearing proper collars and leashes, meets along with their owners at a farmers market to enjoy shopping and socialization. As the owners shop for produce and flowers, the dogs have a brief conversation among themselves with just a few, well-chosen words in short, rhyming couplets set in large type within speech bubbles. Then the whole group moves on to a dog park where the canine pals can run free and show off their tricks. The final spread identifies all the Bow Wow School graduates yearbook-style, with small portraits, names, breeds and descriptions. An oversized format and deep, forest-green backgrounds help create arresting spreads full of eye-popping colors and perky pooches. An author’s note describes the materials used in Ehlert’s bold collage illustrations, including buttons, hair and handmade papers. (Picture book. 2-6)