Chico the schnauzer by Taryn Brumfitt and Levi George

A very eager Chico is waiting on the cover for kids to open the book and find out about him. His tail is almost wagging as the book is opened and readers are introduced to Chico and his characteristics. When his family leaves for school and work he greets all of the other dogs in the neighbourhood with welcoming barks, but one day his gate is left open and out he walks. He plays chase with Susie the Sausage Dog, Gary the Greyhound is at the beach and the two run very fast along the shore, Banjo the Border Collie asks Chico for help rounding up the sheep with some unexpected outcomes, Penelope the poodle dresses him up to be ready for the next show where she had already won a prize, but he doesn’t quite fit the image, then Ginger the Golden Retriever asks him to swim across the lake, but Chico finds a board to use. At the end of the day Chico has had the best play date ever, playing with all his friends, and trying out the things they are good at, finding that they are not all as easy for him to master.  His body is not as sleek or as fast, or attuned to water or dressing up, but going home, his family greets him with hugs and cuddles, and they all know what Chico is good at.

Charming illustrations depict the dogs talked of in the text , and will draw responses form the readers as they too recognise the animals and the traits they possess. Most readers will have a story to share about their dog and what it does best, fitting into the theme of the story, that we are all good at something. We may all be different but we can do different things with our bodies, making us just as amazing as the next person or dog. And written by Australian of the Year, Taryn Blumfitt, the book parallels the work she is doing with the Body Image Movement.

Themes: Difference, Diversity, Body image, Humour.

Fran Knight