Oh! If Only…

PreS-Gr 1—A boy recounts a catastrophic chain of events that stem from a seemingly innocent encounter with a dog and a ball. As they begin to play together, the boy bemoans, "If only…I was better at soccer and hadn't tried to show off…," as the ball gets away from him, frightening cats, birds, and horses and disrupting a parade for the Queen's birthday. Worst of all, once the playful dog has wreaked havoc in the palace, he brings the ball right back to the boy…on camera. As families around the world are shown gathering around TVs to point at his red, embarrassed face, the boy wishes he had stayed at home, but if he had, he says, "I would never have met this great dog!" The plaintive refrain carries the story forward swiftly as one event unfolds into another. The ellipses build suspense, indicating that there is more action, and disaster, to come. The watercolor and pastel illustrations complement the text, and vice versa, with the lines of text undulating or bouncing with the action. Nearly every page is full of movement as animals fly or scamper away, and bright primary colors highlight focal points. Kids will enjoy the increasing destruction and silliness, while the minimal text and refrain make this a good read-aloud. A fun choice for those who enjoyed Remy Charlip's Fortunately (Parents' Magazine Pr., 1964), and Allan Ahlberg's Previously (Candlewick, 2007).—Marian McLeod, Darien Library, CT