DASHING DOG!
by Margaret Mahy & illustrated by Sarah Garland
No one can string together a set of rollicking rhymes quite like the talented Mahy (Down the Dragon’s Tongue, 2000, etc.), author of over 150 works for children. She introduces readers to an unnamed standard poodle, a dashing fellow in both demeanor and behavior who is modeled on Mahy’s own pet. The dapper dog is picked up from the groomer by his loving family comprised of parents plus three children, and they all enjoy a promenade in a town beside the ocean. The lively canine immediately breaks free and launches into a variety of adventures with sand, seaweed, seagulls, cats, other dogs, and a messy patch of briar roses. When the younger daughter of the family slips away and falls into the ocean, the sturdy (and dirty) poodle rushes to the rescue, saving the day in a dramatic conclusion. Mahy’s rhyming text is filled with rich vocabulary and tongue-twisting, humorous phrases that beg to be read aloud with lots of expression. The oversized format and the large, motion-filled watercolors by Garland make this an excellent choice for reading to a group. Garland has a flair for showing the dog in motion in all sorts of humorous positions, and her expressive illustrations help to create a distinct personality for the charming chocolate-brown poodle. Give that dashing dog a bone. (Picture book. 3-6)