EVERYTHING DOG

Crisp (Totally Polar, 2001, etc.) offers a crisply written collection of canine trivia that will intrigue young readers who like to learn odd facts about favorite animals. A question in large type at the top of each page or spread is followed by a chatty answer, informally conveying information on dog—including canine anatomy, behavior, and history. Some questions are obvious choices, (“Why do dogs like people?” and “Why do dogs have cold, wet noses?”) while others are more thoughtful, (“Can dogs recognize other people in your family by their smell?” or “Can dogs see what people see?”). The volume’s jazzy design utilizes some creative concepts that add touches of color throughout, with the introduction and resource pages printed on bright yellow or red backgrounds. Both full-color and black-and-white photographs are used, including shots of dogs with children and with adult owners. Unfortunately the quality of the photographs is not uniform throughout, particularly in the black and white shots, and most regrettably in an unnecessarily unattractive photograph of the author on the final page. A minor drawback—this first entry in the Kids’ FAQs series will be useful for both recreational reading and school reports on man’s (and many a kid’s) best friend. (bibliography) (Nonfiction. 7-10)