Review: It's National Puppy Day!

Let’s celebrate this very special day by reading one of my favorite books about (you guessed it) a puppy:
 
TITLE: GASTON
AUTHOR: Kelly DiPucchio
ILLUSTRATOR: Christian Robinson
PUBLISHER: Atheneum Books for Young Children/2014
OPENING LINES: Mrs. Poodle admired her new puppies. Fi-Fi, Foo-Foo, Ooh-La-La, and Gaston. Would you like to see them again? Fi-Fi, Foo-Foo, Ooh-La-La, and Gaston. Perfectly precious, aren’t they?

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Without seeing the art, you may not appreciate the brilliance of these first lines (and the fact that you must see the art to appreciate it is another thing that makes this book brilliant). The opening spread shows an adult Mrs. Poodle, three poodle puppies, and then Gaston – a French bulldog. Hmm. Right away the reader is pulled in and compelled to turn the page. The next pages do not disappoint. Gaston is shown in contrast to his siblings. For example, Gaston is the size of a teapot, not teacups like his siblings. And instead of “Yip,” Gaston says, “Ruff!” Gaston works very hard to fit in and Mrs. Poodle is proud of all her pups. Then, one day … Mrs. Poodle’s family encounters a bulldog family in the park. Would you like to know their names? Okay, I’ll reveal just a bit more: Rocky, Ricky, Bruno, and Antoinette. Hmm. Both mamas realize there’s been a terrible mistake. Intrigued? Then run to your library or book store to find out how Gaston figures out how to fit in. The art and text are a perfect marriage. This story will make you smile and warm you heart. I cannot gush enough about this book!

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