Dogs in Disguise

‘Dogs come in all kinds of colours and sizes’, states this book’s opening line, then, ‘but when no-one’s looking, they put on disguises.’ And we’re off, gloriously costumed canines parade across the pages – bright blocks of colour highlighting them superbly – in a variety of eye-catching outfits. As if the joy of gazing on John Bond’s illustrations of dogs styling jackets, waistcoats and silk spotty blouses wasn’t enough in itself, Peter Bently’s text features rhymes that simply feel like they were meant to be: schnauzers in trousers, and shih-tzu and jujitsu just some of the examples. The story grows more and more absurd, dogs casually strolling into top restaurants, splashing in the swimming pool and, particularly lovely, lining up as Grenadier guards – the final image is of cockapoo cosmonauts heading for Mars. A visual treat, a joy to read aloud, and a doggy delight!