Found Dogs

PreS-Gr 1—In this tail-waggingly fun concept book, Sirotich counts 10 canines in an animal shelter, from "1 dog, long and low" to "10 dogs, slobbering hounds." The narrator reassures the animals that forever homes are right around the corner: "Soon, dogs, you'll be found!" The following spread depicts a cheerful group of people waiting in line to adopt the animals. Next, the author counts down as she presents the dogs with their new owners, starting with the "slobbering hounds," who greet 10 waving humans ("10 dogs, saying hello") and ending with the "long and low" dachshund, who cuddles in the lap of a little girl who uses a wheelchair ("1 dog, on her way"). Every pup has managed to find just the right owner; the "spotty, shiny" dalmatians are eventually paired with firefighters, while the huskies, "dressed for snow," are adopted by a quartet of youngsters clad in boots and hats. Created in ink, using brushes and pen, and composed and colored digitally, the cartoon art is energetic and funny, full of exaggerated details—from the puddles of drool all around the grinning hounds to the droopy expressions on a quintet of pouting pooches—that are bound to delight children. The text is simple yet features plenty of rhyme and alliteration, which adds a dash of verve.