I am a Dog

All day long, whilst Dad is at work and Mum looks after baby sister, the little boy in this story is a DOG. He carries his lead to Mum, asking for walkies; he digs in the flower bed, presenting squirmy worms to the baby. Mum almost loses it at one point, shouting, ‘You are not a dog! You are a boy!’ Dad returns home, and the ‘dog’ barks a hello, jumps up to welcome him, and licks his face. The parents decide a real pet is called for, and after a successful visit to the Dog Rescue, their son is rapidly returned to them, doggy behaviour forgotten. Knowing small children who spend playtimes rushing around being A DOG, I read this to a class of 6-year-olds with interest. They thought it was hilarious, and asked to have it in their own book collection! Allen’s stylised illustrations with their expressive line and cross hatching were highly appealing to the children.