Wet Dog!

This book has excellent rhyme and rhythm. The story flows and the illustrations are beautiful, colorful and interesting. There is so much here to hold the eye and ear of your preschooler as well as the early reader. The book does not grow old with repeated reading and the story is of sufficient length (or shortness) to entertain without dragging out a bedtime or quiet time routine. Would highly recommend this.

Two dog owners wrote and illustrated this fun book about a muttish dog on a hot day, and their love for dogs is evident on every page. "Old Dog" is very hot, "with his long pink tongue hanging out," so he cruises the neighborhood looking for liquid refreshment. He manages to insert himself between a hose and a limo, and a watering can and flowers. He splashes mud on a 3-piece band, and even jumps into a sink full of dirty, sudsy dishes. These interruptions and the ensuing dog shake generate cries of "Wet dog!" (cries that author Elaine Broach says she hears at the lake near her home). The story has a reader-friendly pattern of hot dog, hot dog sees water, and cool dog splashes people and makes them mad. (There is one repeated line that's somewhat confusing, after each episode, the dog "smiled his sorry-dog smile and wagged his sorry-dog tail.") Old Dog's shake is so powerful that streamlets of water burst off his long furry ears, nose, legs, tail, and body; he looks like a sponge squeezed fast and hard. Although artist David Catrow's bright, multi-colored pencil and watercolor pictures don't depict these initial victims getting wet, he shows their big, clownish-faces register comically exaggerated shock, dismay, and fright. Broach and Catrow save the best for last. After Old Dog splashes into a lake hosting a wedding reception, his ultra-vigorous shaking wets all the guests. However, one guest, "a fine, fancy baby, in too-hot clothes" is delighted: "She laughed and laughed, clapping her hands at the wet-dog rain in the air." Like, the pool-under-the-dance-floor scene in "It's a Wonderful Life," the other guests embrace their inner dog, and dive fully clothed into the blue-green water. It's an immensely satisfying conclusion, and the drenched but refreshed, cheering guests hoist Old Dog above the water. Old Dog still has that pleasingly innocent look on his face; after all, he never wanted to cause trouble--he just wanted to cool off.

This is the perfect book to read out loud--its fun use of rhythms and refrains makes the story lilt and tilt delightfully along. Broach's own delight in language is clear; David Catrow illustrates the sweet sorry-dog who is only trying to cool off with sincere, dog-knowing affection. The wet dog shaking off is a picture! Kids will likely quietly relate to this dog who, although often scolded, turns out to have a very good idea! I very much look forward to more children's books by Elise Broach.

For its backdrop, this charming picture book presents scenes depicting the busy preparations for a wedding. Into these moments careens Wet Dog, drawn with stylish abandon by David Catrow. This dog is the perfect fit for Elise Broach's rollicking text and appreciative descriptions of just how much havoc one dog can bring to the occasion.