September 1, 2021
Preschool This cute and funny board book follows the evolving relationship between a dog and the new baby that joins his family. He begins by wondering, "Are you a dog?" but notes, "Your front paws are not like your back paws" and "You don't even have a tail!" But similarities begin to unfold against colorful, uncluttered backgrounds, which show the brown-skinned baby and splotchy pup side-by-side napping, going for walks, playing, and sharing snacks--leading to the realization that, though they are different, they are friends. A fun mix of entertaining illustrations, comparison and contrast, and a few surprises!
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November 15, 2021
A story of life with a baby from the family dog's perspective. The narration, meted out in one or two sentences per page, presents the inner monologue of a medium-sized white dog with black patches on its fur. The pooch investigates the newest family member, a newborn baby, and compares ("You howl, I howl") and contrasts ("You don't even have a tail!") himself to this strange new addition to the family. Both of them sleep, eat, stretch, and walk on all fours, but the infant's front paws aren't like its back paws, the dog notes, and it doesn't have a tail or quite smell like a canine. A grown-up with blue eyes and wavy, shoulder-length blue-black hair only intervenes when the baby tries to mount the dog like a horse. The black-eyed baby and the caregiver have medium-brown skin and stylistic pink circles on their cheeks. Nelson's sophisticated mixed-media collage uses a distinctive palette of mustards, royal blues, and deep greens with hot pink and red accents. The dog's confusion about this new arrival seems to last several months as the child grows from a swaddled newborn to a crawling tyke playing hide-and-seek. Despite the word baby appearing in the title, the exercise of comparing and contrasting canines and infants will make more sense to toddlers. A playful and funny romp that will appeal to dog-owning tots. (Board book. 1-3)
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October 1, 2021
Baby-Toddler-Dog isn't sure whether the new critter in the house is another canine or something else. It doesn't smell like a dog or have a tail. Its front legs are different from its back legs. But the little one sleeps and stretches and howls and plays like a dog. No matter what it is, they are friends. VERDICT Darling, bold collages and minimal text present the arrival of a new baby from the family dog's perspective, with enough wry humor to make even adult readers smile.
Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
September 1, 2024
Toddler-PreS-This adorable follow-up to Dog's First Baby celebrates the wonders of the Christmas season with tongue-in-cheek humor. Dog introduces himself and Baby, and the story turns to the dog offering advice to Baby. Through wisdom presumably born of experience, Dog shares that ornament balls aren't for throwing, and there isn't a need to check the Christmas tree for squirrels. These life lessons and humor may go over some young readers' heads, but adults are sure to get a chuckle. Other seasonally appropriate traditions include baking, crafting, hanging stockings by the fire with care, and unwrapping presents. Nelson again features beautiful and striking mixed-media collage artwork. The palette incorporates the deep reds and greens of Christmas in contrast to mustard, royal blue, and a few shades of pink. Baby wears Christmas-themed PJs and other one-piece outfits and has a single blue coiled curl for hair, while the adult has black hair with blue squiggles. Both Baby and adult have light brown skin and when caroling, they sing to another family with light brown skin who have a menorah in the window. VERDICT A must purchase.-Sarah Sieg
Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.