Who Wants to be a Poodle? I Don’t!

The importance of communication and being understood could not be better expressed than in this cautionary tale of pampered poodle, Trixie Twinkle Toes Trot-a-lot Delight and her fashion plate owner, Verity Brulée. Mademoiselle Brulée, who lives in the lap of luxury and likes everything ‘just so’, adores buying beautiful shoes so there is no question of walks in the rain or in the mud. Poor Trixie Twinkle Toes hates being confined indoors and dressed up in ribbons and ponchos – she wants to step in puddles and play with other dogs. When she starts rebelling Verity is puzzled but eventually gets the message.

In Lauren Child’s collage and line illustration text is an integral part of the design, the whole conveying the drama and pace of the story. Textures and patterns, parquet and brick, staircases and railings, every element delights the eye as events are located in a sophisticated cityscape (Paris? Manhattan? London?). A wonderful photograph from the ’50s of a model and her poodle in matching outfits suggests the genesis of this witty, visually challenging, many layered story with its satisfying denouement.