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REVIEWS
& AWARDS
Kirkus Reviews
Dog has a ball but no one to play with, and all the farm animals have
reasons why they cannot join him. "Dog wants to play. / When? / Today!
/ ‘Oh no,' says the kitten. / ‘I might get bitten.' " And so it goes,
with repetitive phrases and rhyming couplets that are a good match for
the youngest listeners. Poor Dog, by turns hopeful and then
disheartened, finds that the lamb is too shy, the hare too easily
scared, the chick too small and the pig and calf too busy doing their
own things. In the end Dog does find the perfect playmate; one who will
play not only today, but "all day!" Mack's acrylic illustrations suit
the audience, giving a clue as to the next creature Dog hopes to entice
into playing with him and investing Dog with considerable charm: His
body language speaks volumes. The very simple structure of the text
leaves plenty of room for the illustrations to carry the tale,
precisely paced page turns encouraging even toddlers to join in with
predictions and gently instructing them in narrative pattern. Subtle
and sweet. (Picture book. 2-5)
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