There is no doubt that there are times when my dogs drive me crazy. Sometimes they bark too much. Sometimes their shedding makes it impossible to keep the house clean. Then there are those days when they roll in something nasty or get sprayed by a skunk. Why would any sane person put up with all this aggravation. If you don't know the answer to that question, then you haven't been lucky enough to have a dog in your life.
Today's book is a tribute to all dogs, who have so much to give, and who are such wonderful friends and companions.
Picture Book
For ages 5 and up
Little Brown, 2009, 978-0-316-04548-3
Earl is a little black and white dog whose tail is forever wagging. It goes “Fwip Fwip Fwip” all the time. It wags when Earl is eating, or when he is playing ball. It wags for “belly rubs, chewy toys, snacky-snacks, and snowflakes.” That tail wags when Earl sees his old friends and when he sees potential new ones. Why does Earl’s tail wag though? Does anyone know?
Mooch the cat tries to tell us the answer to this question, but he forgets what he wants to say. Jules the littler cat doesn’t know. Mooch then decides that the answer is a secret. Finally, Mooch decides that he knows the answer.
In this charming picture book, Patrick McDonnell the creator of the much loved Mutts cartoon strip, celebrates the secret that lies in the heart of every dog. He reminds us that there is one thing that we can share and give that is more important than anything else in the world. Dogs, of course, are perfect candidates to show us poor humans what this secret is because they are so good at sharing it.
With his minimal art and text, and his loveable dog and cat characters, Patrick McDonnell gives readers of all ages a book that they will be able to appreciate and savor for the rest of their lives.
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