The new dog by Chris McKimmie

McKimmie’s books are always such a treat. A kaleidoscope of fascinating images, created using a variety of media, each page prompts the eyes and thought processes with highly original dazzle. I love working out what has been used on each page: is it collage, pen and ink, biro, material, water colour or pencil, while sometimes a child’s hand has helped. The new dog on the front cover stares out at the reader with a toy lobster under its front paws. He is introducing himself to the reader. Over the page he tells us that his lobster is one of two left after Maisie gave him seven when he first arrived at the house.

Teddy has gone and left behind a range of dog necessities to make him feel welcome, including the water and food bowls, cushions to sit upon, and a box of stuff with the toys Maisie brought him. He loves to dress up and chew things, throw pot plants into the air, and when he escapes into the yard, he loves to dig. After that comes his least favourite thing, having a bath, although the next page reveals something many dogs hate even more: thunder and lightning.

Each page the new dog reveals a little more of himself, the illustrations giving a slightly different picture of the dog and his place in his new home. The strangely happy look we see on the front cover is belied by his throwing, digging and chewing, barking and vomiting. We see him learning to live with a new family, a situation many children will recall in their own homes.

But when he shows his certificate for being good, readers will laugh out loud at the irony of a certificate that does not reveal what he is really like.

One day he eats a whole loaf of bread, wrapper and all that he finds in the kitchen. The next day he is very sick and stays in bed all day.

He loves barking, particularly at birds and possums, so we know that this must keep everyone awake all day and night. He loves books but we see from the illustrations that this means their destruction. And thankfully he loves a pocket of sunshine in the back yard, where he can rest.

This loving story of a new dog in the family will thrill young readers, as they see the contrast between the dog’s image of himself and that of the family. Kids will laugh out loud at the comparison, knowing from their own experiences how apt these images are.

And just when the story finishes, over the page is a list of the dog’s behaviours to show the vet. Another source of mirth and hilarity for the audience.

Themes: Dogs, Behaviour, Point of view, Acceptance.

Fran Knight