Dog on a Digger

PreS-Gr 2—In this wordless picture book, there is canine drama and suspense on the construction site. A mixture of panels and full-page illustrations relay the action, beginning with the early morning routine of an amiable white dog and his human companion. Donning yellow safety vests, man and dog climb into the cab of an excavator and get to work hauling, digging and lifting. At break time, they have a snack and enjoy the company of the convenience stand owner and her little shaggy pup. When the puppy suddenly goes missing and becomes trapped over a canal, the older dog heroically springs into action, alerting the humans and figuring out a clever rescue plan. Realistic pencil illustrations alternate between close-up scenes that capture the nuanced body language of the animals, and panoramic views of the entire construction site. The black-and-white pages are enlivened with splashes of sunny yellow that accent the big rigs and hard hats and also signify the urgent barks of distress.