– Look At Those Sweet Eyes! –
Details
- Author/Illustrator: Elizabeth Suneby / Laurel Molk
- Publisher: Kids Can Press (October 1, 2019)
My Thoughts
The cover on this book immediately made me remember an old song: How Much Is That Doggie In The Window. Hmm, I’m thinkin’ I may not add the date that song was popular, but I will print some lyrics.
How much is that doggie in the window? (woof woof)
The one with the waggly tail
How much is that doggie in the window? (woof woof)
I do hope that doggie’s for sale
Patti Page – How Much Is That Doggie In The WindowLyrics – Bob Merrill
I don’t usually choose a book by its cover . . . okay, who’s kidding who? I do let the cover influence me, and that’s the exact reason I’m reviewing this book. I fell in love with the dog on the cover.
That being said, the book brought about a love/dislike relationship for me. I absolutely adored the artwork. But the story left me cold and a bit confused as to whether I really liked it or not.
When Mia asks about a pet, her mom tells her that their apartment is very small and that there is no room for a dog, even a pint-sized pup. But when Mia sees that someone in her apartment building is giving away puppies, she begins to hatch a plan.
Grandma, who lives in the same apartment building loves the plan and immediately helps put it in motion.
Normally if the main character takes initiative to make a plan to solve their problem I’m happy. But, in this case, I wasn’t as pleased.
I don’t want to spoil the story by giving away too much, but Mia and Grandma are hard at it trying to prove there is room for a dog. And the last page, as cute as it is —and it’s VERY cute — really validates Mom’s point.
When I closed the book I was left with two feelings.
- Girl, don’t be so serious, it’s a picture book, for Pete’s sake!
- Little Mama, it’s a terrible example for precocious kids, or for that matter any kids.
What Concerned Me:
I felt totally conflicted. Even if the story is based on “I-want-a-dog story meets the Yiddish folk tale about how things could always be worse” as stated in the publisher’s description, it didn’t quite work for me.
What About That Rating?
My rating of this book is based more on the fact that it can be a fun story with a lesson to be learned if you treat it as such. So my rating? 5 STARS for the illustrations. 3 STARS for the text. This is the first time I’ve ever felt the need to rate a book that way, but I couldn’t figure out anything better.
What I Liked Most
The illustrations were soft, detailed, and so whimsical. They appealed to me immediately.
Bottom Line
Readers, despite my review, don’t be too quick to pass this book up. It is perfect to use as a teaching tool. And when you read it you will know why. The last page says it all. And it absolutely has some great qualities to share, laugh and talk about.
About The Authors and Illustrator
Elizabeth Suneby loves words. By shuffling them and moving them here and there she comes up with new thoughts and ideas.
I guess it’s a good thing she loves words since that’s how she makes her living: with words. She helps others rearrange their own words or she creates her own by writing magazine articles and books.
Laurel Molk used to sell her drawings to her neighbors for a penny a drawing or six for a nickel. I’m sure those neighbors are now framing those little drawings and say, “I knew that little girl when – – ”
Laurel has now had several books published including one of my all-time favorites There Might Be Lobsters, which she illustrated.
