This is the dog by Maura Finn. Illus. by Nina Rycroft

Won't kids have a ball, stressing the first THIS each time the page is turned, joining in with the person reading the book out loud, predicting the rhyming words and laughing at the images presented to them as they read of the dog's plight.

The deceptively simple stanzas are full of emotion as the little dog, with snuffly snout, half crumpled ear and fur that sticks out watches as all the other dogs in the rescue home are taken. He longs for a place of his own, a forever home, and one day when the door is left open he decides to find his place by himself. Adventures crowd around as he sees an array of places and people, but no one sees him. Children will sympathise with the animal as he searches for his place, finally sighing with relief when someone stops and notices him. She can see what others cannot see, and together they make a wonderful team.

The illustrations this book will draw responses from the readers as they see the dog for the first part behind a door. Each image has a door like frame with latch and hinges, making it appear as if the dog is shut away. When that door is left open, he escapes and from then on the images spread across the page as he searches for someone to share his life. Readers will love the image of the closed door, the lock in the latch, the open door beckoning him out, and may encourage discussions about independence and self reliance, as the dog takes his future in his own hands.

Readers will love following the little dog as he marches though the streets, checking out the people, wondering whether this person or that one could be his new owner.

Rycroft's little dog is instantly appealing with its floppy ears and pleading eyes, searching the faces he sees in the street.

Themes: Dogs, Loneliness, Bravery, Freedom, Adventure, Longing.

Fran Knight