Where are you, Magoo? by Briony Stewart
A very funny, involving sequel to We love you, Magoo (2020) kids will simply love looking for Magoo on each page as he avoids detection after doing some pretty gross things. Young readers will laugh out loud as they spy the dog covered in mud, leaving footprints on the clean floor, or soiling the washing hanging on the line, or rolling about in the laundry basket. They will shriek as they spy Magoo rummaging through the kitchen pedal bin for any scrumptious leftovers, or tut when Magoo is found having a wee on the pot plant. A more cautious laugh will come as he bounds off down the street making friends with a new dog, and cries of ugh when he cleans the baby’s face of jam with his tongue. Each page shows the family looking for their pet after he has done some pretty dastardly deeds but in the end his smile wins out as they find him asleep in the bed, where he says he has been all night!
The wonderful cheery story will be followed with glee by all readers, asking for it to be read aloud over and over so they can join in, predicting rhyming words and learning the 'Where are you Magoo' catch phrase to be able to repeat it with the reader. They will enjoy the very funny illustrations, boldly outlined in black, showing a cheerful, happy dog, bent on destruction. Many kids will be able to share stories from their own homes about animals that have behaved badly.
The warmth of the home is paramount as they search for the dog together. Kids will recognise rooms in the houses and recognise jobs done by members of the family, working together.
Award winning author illustrator Briony Stewart aims to foster creativity in children, and her picture books reflect an indelible link between text and illustrations which children will adore. Her first book, Kumiko and the dragon won the Aurealis Award in in 2008. Books such as these are invaluable, leaving smiles on the faces of the readers which last until the next time it is read to them.
Themes: Dogs, Families, Hiding, Searching, Humour, Verse.
Fran Knight