Americanine: A Haute Dog in New York

PreS-Gr 3—Sophisticated humor and striking colored pencil artwork characterize this story of a pooch recounting a trip to the Big Apple to his cohorts back home in France. Readers will be in the know about some of the things that confuse the dachshund ("I actually saw people through windows who were running hard but never left their spot and no ball ever showed up"), such as his concern for the Statue of Liberty, whose arm must "be pretty sore from holding up her torch!" They will also relate to the canine's delight in a park "so big that there's a zoo inside," stories-high murals that dot the landscape, doggy bags, Coney Island, and more. Throughout the book, pages of text with spot-art pencil sketches (and, often, speech bubbles) face full-page, colorful drawings that reflect the hustle and bustle of urban life. These are each followed by a wordless spread featuring expansive, street- and bird's-eye views of city life. Whether depicting outdoor scenes or the interiors of museums, restaurants, or subway stations, each illustration offers multiple amusing scenarios and characters to observe and, perhaps, create stories about.