Woof: A Love Story by Sarah Weeks; Illustrated by Holly Berry (HarperCollins, $16.99, 32 pages). Age range: 4 to 8.
A dog is a dog/ and a cat is a cat/ And most of the time/ it’s as simple as that/ Or is it?
Young children’s literature is alive and well! The dynamic duo of author Sarah Weeks and illustrator Holly Berry have teamed up to create a colorful, delightful and endearing picture book. Woof is the story of a dog who, at first glance, becomes smitten with a lovely white kitty. His tale is set forth in rhyming verses guaranteed to delight both the listener and the reader. The illustrations are created using an imaginative combination of original woodcuts and photographic images. The effect is just eye-catching enough to enliven the story without being jarring.
Woof is big enough for the reader to hold it while allowing the listener to easily turn the pages. Although the story line is a bit improbable (it involves a buried trombone ), it sets the stage for a dialogue about ways of communicating that can take place between the person reading the book and his or her young listener. Clearly, woof and meow are not the only way for the two characters to share their feelings. Music is the key to their understanding of each other.
Delightful – 5 Woofs (or Meows). Highly recommended.
Reviewed by Ruta Arellano. Reprinted courtesy of Sacramento Book Review. “This humorous and heartfelt story is about the power of love and the power of music, told through the eyes of a lovelorn dog and the cat he adores.” HarperCollins
Joseph's Reviews 