Lou by Breanna Carzoo

Positioned over the road from a doggy day care centre, Lou is an important stop for all the dogs in the neighbourhood. They sniff and twirl, twist and lift, spraying their urine all over this little piece of street furniture. He is a toilet.

But he has always had the feeling deep inside himself that he is destined for better things, that he is full of greatness. In the meantime keen eyes will see another leg of the story being played out in the flat above the doggy day care centre and sure enough smoke billows from the building, and a fire appliance turns up. The fireman looks around for a place where his fire hose will fit and plugs it into Lou. He realises that the pipe underneath is a water pipe and the attached hose will spray water all over the fire, putting it out. The words for the connection of the hose are the same used for the dogs earlier in the day, and kids will laugh at the change of meaning.

A great read aloud, the story will evoke chortles of laughter from the readers and audience as Lou comes to see just how important he is.  He is now a superhero, feted by all the dogs, the community and the fire officers.

A wonderful story, I loved the echoes of words and phrases, and the realisation that perhaps he is useful after all. Kids will love the little fire hydrant, and perhaps notice them in the street, but more importantly see that we all have something great to achieve.

Themes: Dogs, Fire, Greatness, Achievement.

Fran Knight