Dog by Matthew Van Fleet with Photography by Brian Stanton

Posted on May 28, 2009
By Tanya Turgeon

REVIEW by Tanya Turgeon

Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Book, 2007

20 pages

$14.99

Summer vacation looms on the horizon bringing with it excursions aplenty. We all know dogs require special attention and care when traveling but they aren't the only ones. Young children can be as challenging if not more so. The key to ensuring a less stressful car, bus, boat, plane or train ride is bringing plenty of low-key activities...like, perhaps, a good book.

Unfortunately, Dog will not furnish a foolproof itinerary or checklists on what to pack or the names of pediatricians and veterinarians who are generous with sedative prescriptions. It could, however, serve as a booster seat in a dire situation given it's sturdiness and thickness and definitely help secure napkins at a picnic on a breezy day. Mainly Dog provides a fun and educational distraction for kids 2 and up (though my niece has been enjoying her copy since she was 6 months old with the help of her grandmother).

It's a typical children's board book with atypical features. Among simple words "Little dog, big dog, teeny dog quakes" that rhyme "dry dog, wet dog, shake, shake!" there are flaps to lift, things to touch (the soft brown fur of a Welsh Terrier or the sticky tongue of a Basset Hound) and tabs to pull. For a change the tabs are large and nearly indestructible-perfect for little fingers to grip. Make a Pug wag his tail or move the leg of an Old English Sheepdog to reveal a silly surprise.

Dog showcases at least twenty-six different dogs (which led me to wonder if the lack of "s" in the title was a copy writing issue) thanks to the wonderful photography of Brian Stanton. The last four pages--counting the two fold out sections which are easy to overlook--give credit to the models and list their names and breeds, which is the secret to how I knew the one with the brown fur was a Welsh Terrier. The Van Fleet-Stanton team produced a sequel entitled Cat in February this year, which will be another must-have once your child/nephew/sister/cousin/grandkid declares this to be his or her favorite book. Depending on the length of time you're plannign to spend in transit you might also want to pick up Alphabet, Tails, and Fuzzy Yellow Duckling. Under the pre-Stanton authorship of Van Fleet these three titles boast the same unique style and innovations only with colorful illustrations in lieu of photos.

The point of vacationing as a family is to spend time together. Most adults will have a book or two with them. Dog is a great way to include the youngest members of the family by sharing the joy of reading, the love of dogs, and encouraging a new generation of book hounds. Since adults will love this book as much as the kids, reading it together is the ultimate in enjoying each other's company.

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