Children's book creator Richard Scarry is best known for busy, animal-populated scenes where almost every object is labeled--a bonanza for preschoolers honing their reading skills. In A Day with Dogs (a French tribute to Scarry, originally published as the catchy-sounding Tout tout sur les toutous), readers will peek into the entertaining daily life of many comically illustrated pooches, all identified by name (Alex to Zaza!) and breed.
Dorothée de Monfreid (Dark Night; I'd Really Like to Eat a Child) sketches Dalmatians, Chihuahuas, Boxers, Yorkshire Terriers and Great Danes with equal glee. In the "At Home" spread, a cross-section of a three-story house reveals the personality-rich dogs up to their tricks in labeled rooms, with labeled furniture. Other scenes are "The Bathroom," "Clothes," "At School," along with charming numbers and alphabet sections. "Art Class" offers up lessons in color-mixing (and mess-making); "At Work" displays vocations from president to clown; "Sports" is ripe with doggy mini-dramas (go over the hurdle, not under, buddy!); and "At the Doctor" is a bittersweet mash-up of compassion and rashes. Jolly field trips abound, whether their canine antics are "In the Country," "The Farm," "The Sea," "The Forest" or "The Supermarket."
Categories such as seasons, vegetables, animals, flowers, insects, vehicles and music make this book a fun addition to any child's (and/or ESL student's) library. With repeated readings, children will start to recognize the individual dogs by name as they reappear in different scenarios. Put this one on your list of winning baby-shower gifts, with Denise Fleming's delightful The Everything Book. --Karin Snelson, freelance writer and editor