A Dog Wearing Shoes

Starred review from July 15, 2015
After spotting a scrawny dog in a swirl of city traffic and taking it home, Mini wants to call it her very own, but her mom suggests a dog with shoes must have an owner. Pencil illustrations crackle with humor even before the title page, showing the mother and daughter right before they almost hit the little doggy in its teensy yellow shoes. The two sit, eyes glazed-over, sedated by traffic boredom, when suddenly hands and arms fly skyward, sunglasses fall askew, mouths gape, brakes slam, and eyes swirl dizzy and disoriented-finally coming to rest on a panting, happy hound. Energetic artwork and evocative facial reactions make the unfolding of a lost-dog story immensely funny. With the yellow of the dog's shoes serving as the illustrations' sole color, readers' eyes end up lingering on linework and quirky background details. Mostly it's the faces children will enjoy deciphering, though, as people and pups wear wonderfully exaggerated expressions. After the dog almost gets lost again (she's a runner), Mini knows how her owner must feel and sets about finding that person, pinning posters everywhere in her neighborhood. A happy reunion and a doggy adoption bring smiles. Comedic pacing and simultaneously scrupulous and silly artwork will leave readers howling. (Picture book. 2-6)

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June 1, 2015

PreS-Gr 1-When Mini and her mother are driving home one day, they come across a lost dog. Though her mother points out that the dog's yellow shoes mean he probably has an owner who misses him, the young girl is determined to keep him. But after the dog runs off again, Mini realizes that she needs to track down his real family. The book ends on a happy note, however, with Mini learning a lesson about responsible pet ownership. Rendered in pencil, with splashes of color added digitally (the yellow of the shoes, the red of a leash), the black-and-white illustrations are immensely appealing. With exaggerated bug-eyed, wide-grinned expressions, Mini is wonderfully endearing, while the dog, a long-nosed little bundle of energy, will have children clamoring for their own canine companion (the appended tips on dog adoption may come in handy). This is a gently told, familiar story, though certainly one that will readily find an audience, but the visuals save it from becoming humdrum. Ko makes excellent use of shading, with detailed and sophisticated results, from the traffic jam in the opening spread to Mini's living room. Infused with movement and life, these illustrations will have kids and adults alike enthralled. VERDICT A lovely, if slightly predictable, pet story.-Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2015
Grades K-2 When Mini and her mother rescue a scrappy little pup from the middle of a busy street, Mini immediately falls in love with him and thinks he must not have an owner. The dog's bright yellow shoes and constant barking, however, tell a different story. Mini, I think he's missing his family, says her mom. He's my family now. I found him, Mini insists. But when they take the dog to the park, he runs off and, in Cinderella style, leaves a little yellow shoe behind. Luckily, they find him at the animal shelter, and after experiencing firsthand what it is like to lose a pet, Mini makes a concerted effort to find the dog's owner. A bittersweet reunion is followed by Mini revisiting the shelter to adopt a pooch of her own. Energetic and expressive black-and-white pencil drawings are accentuated with pops of yellow and red. Based on true events from the author's life, proving that finders are not always keepers. Includes advice on how to adopt a dog.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2016
When Mini and her mom find a dog, Mini is instantly smitten and convinced that he's a stray. Eventually, Mini concedes that "he belongs to someone." She does the right thing and finds his owner. Black-and-white pencil illustrations with touches of yellow and red effectively convey mood, including elation when Mini adopts a dog of her own. Tips on dog adoption are appended. Websites.

(Copyright 2016 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)